by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 16, 2026

Viral Video Shows Black Customer Dealing With Hostile Aldi Employees Who Accused Her Of Stealing

Staff at an Aldi grocery store in Ramsey, Minnesota, are facing criticism after an employee appeared to accuse a Black customer of stealing.

The incident was captured in a more than three-minute video posted on TikTok by a user named Wendy B. The footage shows a tense exchange between her and two store clerks, one of whom appeared to question why her receipt showed only two items despite her having a cart full of groceries.

However, the video also shows the shopper holding a receipt totaling more than $109, indicating she had paid for everything in her cart.

After asking to see the date on the receipt—which confirmed the customer had paid for all the items that day—the clerk questioned why the receipt wasn’t shown earlier when she first asked.

“You just accused me of stealing,” the customer shot back.

@wendybblountt This lady walked up to me and aggressively said “ are you going to scan the rest of these items?!” I was so confused because I had my receipt with EVERY SINGLE ITEM in my cart…and I didn’t purchase Frosted Flakes at all! TikTok do y’all thing! BLOW THIS UP! #aldi #aldis #fypシ゚viral #blowthisup #fyp ♬ original sound – Wendy B

Another store clerk stepped in to try to resolve the situation. After reviewing the customer’s receipt, he told her she was free to leave.

“You’re good,” the male clerk stated.

But the visibly upset customer demanded to know why the employee she first spoke with had accused her of stealing and behaved in what she described as a “hostile” manner.

The male clerk urged the customer to leave, saying the staff had already had a “long day.” As she continued demanding accountability for being accused of stealing, he pushed her cart toward the exit, which only heightened her frustration.

After she posted the video on TikTok—where it has received more than four million views—many viewers tagged Aldi in the comments and called for the employees involved to be fired.

“Aldi they better be fired,” one user wrote.

“I’ve neverrrr had my receipt CHECKED AT ALDI! they don’t even have BAGS,” added another user.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 16, 2026

As Iran War Intensifies, Here’s What To Know If A Military Draft Is On Horizon

Although a draft remains unlikely at this current point, it is not completely off the table for the government.

As tensions escalate in the United States’ war with Iran, some fears over a military draft, or conscription, have also risen.

The U.S. has not launched a military draft since the Vietnam War. However, Americans remain concerned about who could be impacted if revived. Currently, the U.S. military operates on a volunteer basis.

While Congress has yet to comment on or propose reinstating a draft, conversations have begun among citizens about a modernized version. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also noted that President Trump has not taken a military draft completely off the table.

“It’s not part of the current plan right now, but the president again wisely keeps his options on the table,” she asserted during a Fox News appearance on March 8, as reported by People.

However, Military.com reports that the Selective Service System, the federal agency that would oversee a military draft, still has a procedure for ordering new soldiers to report for duty. It entails a lottery system based on birthdays, which would randomly draw people, beginning with 20-year-old males. The order of induction would continue with 21-year-olds, then those between 22 and 25 years old, respectively.

Lastly, 18- and 19-year-olds would be the last to be inducted. However, before anyone puts on the uniform, they must first pass medical, physical, and administrative screenings.

However, once they are deemed eligible to serve, those drafted would become officially inducted into the military. For those wondering how the U.S. would find potentially draftees, male citizens and immigrants between the ages of 18 and 25 are required to register with the Selective Service System.

As it stands, millions of men within these requirements are already registered in this database. However, not all have abided by this self-registration. That being said, the U.S. does not have the most accurate count of eligible men, which could allow others to evade the lottery.

If one wished not to undergo the draft process legally, they would have to file a claim with a civilian-led draft board. Members of these local boards review requests for deferment and exemptions, making them a crucial part of a potential draft.

Women, on the other hand, have much less to fear when it comes to the draft. Women remain ineligible for a draft following the 1981 Supreme Court decision on Rostker v. Goldberg. However, the basis of that ruling centered on women’s ban from combat roles, a stipulation officially reversed in 2015.

Furthermore, less than a quarter of all potential male draftees meet the basic eligibility standards for military service. Many outliers have disqualifying factors, such as health issues, criminal offenses, or drug use, that would prevent their induction.

While a draft is not completely out of the question, the military prides itself on its current all-volunteer status. Given this, the U.S. will presumably look to avoid a military draft unless the government finds it necessary.

Dame Dash Says He's ‘Like a Proud Broke' and Has Actually Been 'Losing Money for Years’

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 16, 2026

Damon Dash To Host ‘OG Stories’ On BET

"This series is about telling those stories the way they actually happened," said Dash.

Beleaguered former Roc-A-Fella executive Damon Dash has been given a shot by the BET Network, which announced that it has picked up his series.

The Harlem native will host OG Stories, billed as an unfiltered docuseries that gives voice to the OGs in the game. Dash created the show and will serve as the series’s director.

“In OG STORIES, Damon Dash sits down with the only circle he can understand: people who know how to be bosses. OG Stories is a raw and real conversation series where cultural architects, hustlers-turned-entrepreneurs, and street legends drop timeless game,” the network said in a press release.

Dash, who has seemingly spent more time in court than in the studio in recent years, thanked the network for “believing in the vision and giving this show a home.”

He added, “OG STORIES is really MY Paid in Full, a depiction of real life and real people I know. These are friends and peers who lived this, built something out of nothing, and earned the lessons that come with it. This series is about telling those stories the way they actually happened.”

Viewers will witness dramatic visuals and gain insights from discussions Dash has with the people he speaks with as they share their history. The docuseries will capture the “mindset, moments, and blueprint” from the people who helped shape the culture and the communities connected to it.

This comes after an embarrassing time for Dash, when, due to legal issues, he had to put his film company, Poppington Inc., on the auction block after failing to pay the millions he owed to several creditors. However, instead of garnering a substantial amount that could be used to pay off part of his debts, the company was sold at auction for $100.50.

RELATED CONTENT: Dame Dash’s Roc-A-Fella Records Shares Now Belong To New York State

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 16, 2026

Diddy Requesting ‘Immediate Release’ With Latest Court Filing

The mogul was given a 50-month prison term after being found guilty on two counts of transporting individuals to engage in prostitution under the Mann Act

In the latest legal filing from the attorneys for Sean “Diddy” Combs, they are requesting the entertainment mogul’s “immediate release” as the 50-month sentence given to him was a “perversion of justice.”

According to TMZ, in an appeal filing that Diddy’s legal team filed on March 13, they stated that the sentence was too harsh, as he was being punished for the crimes he was acquitted of.

The former Bad Boy label owner was convicted in July on two counts of transporting individuals to engage in prostitution under the Mann Act. He was acquitted of the more serious racketeering charges and, on Oct. 3, was sentenced by Judge Subramanian to a 50-month prison term, a $500,000 fine, and five years of supervised release.

Before the judge’s decision, Diddy faced a maximum sentence of 10 years per charge, for a total of 20 years on the two charges for which he was found guilty.

In the filing, the attorneys stated that the sentence given to the Mount Vernon-raised Diddy was about four times higher than normal for the prostitution-related Mann Act convictions. They stated that the prison sentence is a “perversion of justice” as Judge Subramanian engaged in “acquitted conduct” sentencing (the practice of increasing punishment based on rejected allegations).

They are asking for the appeals court to order the No Way Out producer’s “immediate release and grant a judgment of acquittal or at least vacate and remand for resentencing.”

Diddy was granted a speedy appeal after receiving the 50-month sentence, as his lawyers argued that, without a speedy appeal, the standard appeal process could not reasonably be initiated until after the sentence was completed.

Diddy is currently at Fort Dix in New Jersey, serving his time. The prison was his choice due to its closeness to his family and also so that he could take advantage of the facility’s drug treatment program.

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 16, 2026

Another Day, More Airport Disruptions As TSA Agents Quit After Going Into Weekend Without A Full Paycheck

In a statement, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Everett Kelley, said the number of agents quitting comes as “no surprise” as “most Americans would quit their jobs if they didn’t get a paycheck on payday.”

After Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents missed their first full paycheck since February’s partial shutdown which features lapsed funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), hundreds quit or called out, causing massive disruptions over St. Patrick’s Day weekend, CNN reports.

On X, DHS announced that more than 300 TSA agents quit, blaming it on “Democrat-caused chaos…Enough is enough,” the post read.

TSA agents are being forced to work without pay for the third time in nearly six months.

This Democrat-caused chaos has forced more than 300 of these officers—who are on the frontlines protecting American travelers—to LEAVE the force.

Enough is enough. pic.twitter.com/cZAzjEKW2h
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) March 13, 2026

In a statement, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Everett Kelley, said the number of agents quitting comes as “no surprise” as “most Americans would quit their jobs if they didn’t get a paycheck on payday.”

The organization’s president, who represents over 46,000 uniformed TSA workers, said many officers continue to work with “care and professionalism.”

On social media, images of lengthy lines beyond normal waiting hours poured in. In Atlanta at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, one of the busiest in the world, it took travelers 109 minutes just to get to the checkpoint.

“Airports coast to coast are seeing major delays, HOURS-long security lines, and missed flights because of the Democrats’ DHS shutdown,” the agency wrote on X.“SAVE SPRING BREAK. REOPEN DHS NOW.”

Airports coast to coast are seeing major delays, HOURS-long security lines, and missed flights because of the Democrats’ DHS shutdown.

SAVE SPRING BREAK. REOPEN DHS NOW. https://t.co/ABeVfNiG2C
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) March 15, 2026

Agents being out of work—again—comes months after the federal government came to an agreement to end the 2025 shutdown, labeled as the longest in U.S. history. Under a law established in 2019, federal employees are guaranteed to receive back pay once the shutdown ends; however, union reps say that’s not the case this time.

“(The resources) we had in the fall are not available today,” said George Borek, AFGE union steward and TSA officer at Hartsfield-Jackson.

As a result, airline CEOs signed a letter, urging the government to issue paychecks during the partial shutdown. Some airports, such as Denver International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport, have requested travelers assist TSA agents.

❗DONATIONS NEEDED❗ Support the dedicated TSA employees working without pay by donating $10 and $20 grocery store and gas gift cards. Visa gift cards cannot be accepted.

Drop off locations can be found at Final Approach cell phone lot and in the Jeppesen Terminal. pic.twitter.com/DZPs5gMuoV
— Denver Int'l Airport (@DENAirport) March 11, 2026

According to The Hill, CEOs from Southwest, United, American, JetBlue, Delta, and even FedEx and UPS, signed the letter,.

“Americans—who live in your districts and home states—are tired of long lines at airports, travel delays, and flight cancellations caused by shutdown after shutdown. Yet, once again, air travel is the political football amid another government shutdown,” the leadership group wrote.

“This problem is solvable, and there are solutions on the table. Now it’s up to you, Congress, to move forward on bipartisan proposals.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 16, 2026

Chaka Khan Brings Her Iconic Life Story To The Stage With ‘I’m Every Woman’ Musical

Chaka Khan is sharing her untold life story in the new musical "I'm Every Woman."

Chaka Khan is set to bring her triumphant life story to the stage in the I’m Every Woman musical, tracing her journey from humble beginnings on Chicago’s South Side to becoming the legendary “Queen of Funk.”

Set to premiere in London at Hackney Empire from March 20–25, the musical tells the powerful life story of global superstar Chaka Khan, Broadway World reported. For the first time ever, fans will get to see the global superstar bring her journey to the stage, exploring her civil rights activism and battles within the music industry, as well as her struggles with addiction and the challenges of motherhood. At its heart, the production celebrates resilience, purpose, and the woman behind the legend.

Multi-platinum recording artist and award-winning actress Alexandra Burke, known for The X Factor, Sister Act, The Bodyguard, and Curfew, will portray Chaka Khan at Hackney Empire, as well as in Coventry and Eastbourne. The role marks a full-circle moment for Burke, who famously performed a Chaka Khan song during her television debut.

“Almost 17 years ago, with my late mother by my side, I sang Chaka for my very first non-televised audition for The X Factor,” she said in a statement. “To think that all these years later I’ve been given the opportunity to play the superstar that is Chaka Khan in the West End would have been simply unimaginable for me back then. Thank you, Mama, for all your love and guidance as I was growing up. You are in my thoughts every day, and I’ll be lovingly looking up to you every single show. This truly is a dream role for me, my first originating, and I’m still pinching myself, wondering if I’m dreaming!”

Burke will be joined by a star-studded cast including Jordan Frazier (Hamilton) as alternate Chaka Khan; Paige Peddie (The Lion King) as Taka Boom; Chanice Alexander-Burnett (Les Misérables) as Tammy Michelle/Paulette McWilliams; and Charlotte St Croix (TINA – The Tina Turner Musical) as Milini Khan/Whitney Houston.

Additional cast members include Maryla Abraham (Coming to England) as Sandra Stevens, Chrissie Bhima (TINA – The Tina Turner Musical) as Marie Stevens, Sophie Earl (Lizard Boy) as Joni Mitchell, Duane-Lamonte O’Garro (Kinky Boots) as Hassan Khan/Luther Vandross, Miles Anthony Daley (The Drifter’s Girl) as Richard Holland/Prince, and Teddy Wills (Get Up Stand Up!) portraying Fred Hampton, Miles Davis, and Grandmaster Melle Mel.

The cast also features Chris Breistein (An Officer and a Gentleman) as Steve Winwood, Samuel Sarpong-Broni (TINA – The Tina Turner Musical) as Charles Stevens/Yoruba Priest/Stevie Wonder, and Peter Houston (Hamilton) as Bob Monaco.

The production features a book by Nia T. Hill, is directed by Racky Plews, and has choreography by Ebony Clarke. Alongside telling the story of Chaka Khan’s life and career, the musical includes many of her biggest hits, such as “I Feel for You,” “Tell Me Something Good,” “Ain’t Nobody,” “Sweet Thing,” “Higher Love,” “Through the Fire,” and the title track “I’m Every Woman.”

The story also touches on her encounters with artists, including Joni Mitchell, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, and Robert Palmer. The musical offers a soulful journey through Chaka Khan’s legendary catalog and the powerful story behind her remarkable life.

“Of course, we know and love the classics, ‘I’m Every Woman,’ ‘Ain’t Nobody,’ and ‘I Feel For You,’ but I encourage you to dive deep into her incredible solo and Rufus catalogue, it’s timeless and iconic just like the legend herself,” Burke said.

black women, abortion, Lashana Gilmore, Cleopatra Herrera, A Home From Shana, foundation,

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 16, 2026

Study Shows State-Sanctioned Scalpels: Florida Courts Order Forced C-Sections On Laboring Women As Hospitals Invoke ‘Fetal Rights’

New research sheds light on the troubling reality that some pregnant women face during childbirth—being forced into C-section deliveries by court order at the request of hospitals.

New findings are bringing attention to the rising number of pregnant women being forced into unwanted C-section deliveries by court order.

States such as Florida are facing scrutiny as lawmakers promote expanded medical freedom for those who want to avoid vaccines or fluoridated water while limiting the rights of people during pregnancy, ProPublica reports. One example involves Cherise Doyley, who says that during her 12th hour of labor at UF Health Jacksonville, a nurse and supervisor entered her room with a tablet. On the screen, Judge Michael Kalil informed her that the state had filed an emergency petition at the hospital’s request and that officials wanted to compel her to undergo a cesarean section.

“I have 20 white people against me, and because I am informed and I am making an informed decision, they are trying to take my rights away from me by force,” Doyley, a professional birthing doula, told the people on the screen, requesting a Black nurse or doctor.

“I don’t find that race really has much to do with this, ma’am,” the judge responded.

In Florida, mentally competent patients generally have the right to make their own medical decisions, including refusing treatment. However, pregnant patients are a notable exception. Courts in the state, and many others, can order medical procedures during pregnancy, reflecting broader restrictions tied to the concept of fetal personhood, which holds that a fetus may have equal or even greater rights than the woman carrying it.

Doyley had been clear she did not want another C-section after previously undergoing three, including one that caused a hemorrhage. While doctors warned of a small risk of uterine rupture, which could threaten both her and her baby, Doyley said she would only consent to surgery in an emergency. Despite her objections, a judge attempted to order the procedure.

“There aren’t any other instances where you would invade the body of one person to save the life of another,” said Lois Shepherd, a bioethics expert at the University of Virginia School of Law.

Florida has long been at the center of policies tied to fetal personhood.

In 1989, the state became one of the first to prosecute a woman for “delivering” drugs to her fetus during pregnancy, though the Florida Supreme Court later overturned the conviction. Lawmakers are now considering a bill that would further embed the concept in state law by granting embryos and fetuses the same legal status as people in wrongful death cases.

Surveys show more than 10% of women report feeling pressured into C-sections and other procedures by doctors concerned about risks to the baby. Advocates were also alarmed to learn that a similar case had occurred just 18 months earlier involving another Black woman in Florida. In both situations, the women argued that forcing a C-section violated their right to make medical decisions, while hospital staff claimed their choices endangered the fetus—leaving the courts to determine which rights would prevail.

“All of it essentially is about the state’s ability to decide that a fetus, at any point during a pregnancy, is more important than the person who’s pregnant,” said Rutgers University law professor Kimberly Mutcherson.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 16, 2026

Houston Rodeo Shuts Down Early After Chaos Ensues With Police Tackling Fighting Guests

Viral TikToks showed the crowd erupting into a frenzy as police even tackled one guest.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo shut down early one weekend night after bouts of fighting led to chaos.

Several TikToks showed crowds surrounding fights before the festival security could take action. A police officer was also seen in one clip tackling a fighting guest as hundreds gathered around the area.

@realtor.william I just wanted a turkey leg and fried cheesecake but they shut it down early😭 #fyp #houstonrodeo #rodeo #viral #hlsr ♬ original sound – foreverhumblemarc96

The violence led rodeo organizers to close early on Saturday March 14, to ensure guest safety, according to Chron. “Out of an abundance of caution, the carnival closed early Saturday night,” a spokesperson wrote. “The safety and security of our guests remains the top priority for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.”

“A group of individuals began running in the carnival area, which prompted others nearby to run,” the HLSR spokesperson added. “Law enforcement engaged

According to the outlet, officials later said fights broke out in the carnival area, causing crowds to run and “create confusion.”

Another TikTok showed footage of the scene.

@saltlife_44
SMH, my only problem is why bring us halfway down and leave us hanging. A sitting target if it was a active shooter. Nothing we can do but record. Overcrowded if you ask me.
♬ Run – N5?

This Rodeo is a signature event. It takes place annually, bringing millions of visitors to Houston for its assortment of carnival rides, concerts, and, of course, rodeo competitions.

However, the rodeo has not continued without incident before, including this festival season. The same week, festival officials had to revoke the status of a Harris County Judge after she was escorted out of the grounds.

While some issues have clouded the Rodeo experience for some, Houston expects to move forward with its flagship event. The Rodeo will remain in town until March 22.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

March 16, 2026

MacKenzie Scott Donates $42M To Elizabeth City State University In Second Historic Gift To HBCU

The gift is among the largest per-student donations in HBCU history.

MacKenzie Scott has made a second historic donation to Elizabeth City State University, marking another milestone for the North Carolina Institution.

Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos, donated $42 million to ECSU, nearly tripling her initial $15 million donation in 2020. The school’s chancellor, S. Keith Hargrove Sr., remarked on the monumental gift during the university’s Founders Day Convocation.

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A post shared by Elizabeth City State University (@ecsuvikings)

“I want to express our deepest gratitude to MacKenzie Scott for this remarkable act of generosity and for her recognition of the critical role that HBCUs play in expanding opportunity and strengthening communities,” Hargrove said in a statement obtained by The Grio.

Currently, Elizabeth City State University educates around 2,500 students. Founded in 1891, ESCU initially provided training to aspiring Black teachers in North Carolina. Established as Elizabeth City State Teachers College in 1937, the school adopted its current name in 1969 after introducing graduate programs.

With a focus on instructing students across disciplines such as education, business, the sciences, and the humanities, ECSU has received a new wave of financial support through Scott’s generous donation. However, Scott’s gift also marks a record per-student donation, aiding in the school’s longevity for the next generation of HBCU scholars.

“Gifts like this do more than provide resources; they accelerate momentum,” Hargrove added. “This gift allows institutions like Elizabeth City State University to move boldly toward the future while remaining grounded in the mission that has guided us for 135 years.”

The money will also amplify ESCU’s strategic plan, ASCEND 2030. This new wave of funding will scale ESCU’s resources and opportunities for students taking part in this initiative, particularly through endowed scholarships and renovations of its facilities.

Alongside this gift, Scott has been a dynamic game-changer for HBCU investment. Her passionate support of historically Black institutions has sparked a movement for other philanthropists to further invest in these diverse academic hubs.

The Amazon stakeholder had already given over $7 billion in 2025 alone, with over $1 billion given directly to HBCUs. With her promise to give her vast wealth to these underrepresented schools, she also champions their new eras of academic achievement.

RELATED CONTENT: Op-Ed: HBCUs Must Treat Land Like Power

by Mitti Hicks

March 16, 2026

UN Panel Says Hate Speech From Trump Has Led To Grave Human Rights Violations

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) called on the United States to meet its obligations under international agreements to combat racism and discrimination.

A United Nations (UN) watchdog is accusing President Donald Trump and other U.S. political leaders of using “racist hate speech” against migrants and overseeing policies that have led to “grave human rights violations.”

In a decision issued on Wednesday, the Geneva-based Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) called on the United States to meet its obligations under international agreements to combat racism and discrimination.

CERD is a panel of 18 independent experts. In its ruling, CERD said it was deeply disturbed by the use of harmful stereotypes and dehumanizing language being used to target migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

“Portraying them as criminals or as a burden, by politicians and influential public figures at the highest level, particularly the President, may incite racial discrimination and hate crimes,” the panel said in a news release.

The statement marked a rare instance in which CERD directly criticized remarks made by a sitting U.S. president, The Associated Press reports.

UN Cites Concerns About Hate Speech, Migration Crackdown

According to the Associated Press, committee members attributed a reported rise in racial discrimination to “racist hate speech” targeting those groups but did not pinpoint a specific data set. In addition to speech, the panel said it’s also concerned about the impact of politicians and other public figures weaponizing stereotypes to incite hate crimes and discrimination.

The panel documented concerns about measures the Trump administration has introduced to crack down on migration, including systematic racial profiling by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and border patrol agencies, and “violent methods.” According to the report, at least eight people have died since January 2026 in incidents linked to immigration enforcement.

CERD also expressed concern about the number of migrants held in detention facilities. According to the report, the number of people detained increased from about 40,000 in late 2024 to about 73,000 at the beginning of 2026. The Trump administration has deported approximately 675,000 migrants since his return to office.

It doesn’t appear that the Trump administration will make any changes. The White House rejected the assessment, saying the UN panel is out of touch with conditions in the United States.

“This United Nations assessment is just as useless as their broken escalator, and their extreme bias continues to prove why no one takes them seriously,” White House spokesperson Olivia Wales said. “No one cares what the biased United Nations’ so-called ‘experts’ think, because Americans are living in a safer, stronger country than ever before.”