by Mitti Hicks

September 5, 2025

U.S. Coast Guard Repatriates Nearly 200 Undocumented Haitian Immigrants

Since the beginning of fiscal year 2025 on Oct. 1, the DHS says U.S. Coast Guard crews repatriated over 600 undocumented Haitians compared to 857 aliens to Haiti in FY24.

The Department of Homeland Security says the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Spencer repatriated nearly 200 undocumented Haitian immigrants after intercepting a dangerously overloaded vessel about 40 miles north of Cap-Haïtien, Haiti. The group of Haitians was attempting to escape a country that has been plagued by violence and instability.

According to the DHS, Spencer’s crew notified the U.S. Coast Guard Southeast District about an overloaded vessel that was disabled in international waters. Once aboard the Coast Guard cutter, the Haitians were processed to determine their identities and provided with food, water, shelter, and basic medical attention before being transported back to Haiti days later.

“The Coast Guard is committed to our mission to safeguard America by securing our maritime borders and preventing illegal entry into the United States and its territories,” Lt. Cmdr. Cory Arsenault, Coast Guard liaison officer to the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, said in a statement. “Anyone attempting to enter the United States illegally by sea will be interdicted and repatriated, consistent with U.S. law and policy.”

Haitian Immigrants Looking To Flee Escalating Violence

According to the Human Rights Watch, the crisis in Haiti has reached catastrophic levels as criminal groups united under the “Viv Ansanm” coalition intensify large-scale and coordinated attacks in the country. These incidents have severely impacted public services, including electricity, water supply, sanitation, health care, education, and more.

Data from the World Food Program shows that Haiti has one of the highest proportions of acutely food-insecure people in any crisis worldwide. In a report covering August 2024 to February 2025, more than five million people require humanitarian assistance. In addition, more than five million people are facing acute food insecurity, including two million experiencing emergency levels. According to the United Nations, nearly 1.7 million people in Haiti are displaced and require humanitarian aid.

Since the beginning of fiscal year 2025 on Oct. 1, the DHS says U.S. Coast Guard crews repatriated over 600 undocumented Haitians, compared to 857 aliens to Haiti in FY24. However, U.S. officials warn that these numbers could significantly increase as Haiti’s crisis worsens.

by Kandiss Edwards

September 5, 2025

6 Louisiana Residents Arrested For Certifying Fake CDL Licenses

Louisiana authorities charged six individuals involved in a commercial driver’s license (CDL) bribery conspiracy in Louisiana.

On Aug. 28, Louisiana authorities issued an indictment charging six individuals involved in an alleged commercial driver’s license (CDL) bribery conspiracy in Louisiana, according to an affidavit.

At the center of the scheme was restaurant owner Mahmoud Alhattab. Alhattab is accused of accepting payments from CDL applicants in exchange for helping them circumvent three CDL licensure requirements. Applicants bypassed the written knowledge test, the federally mandated entry-level driver training, and the road skills examination.

The bribery scheme concentrated on two Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) staffers from Donaldsonville, Jenay Davis and Shakira Millien. Davis and Millien are accused of taking CDL knowledge tests on behalf of applicants. The pair reportedly searched the internet for test answers during the exam.

To sidestep the training portion, Alhattab allegedly enlisted the services of two truck driver training business operators, Christopher Bryan Burns and Jonathan Parsons. Parsons and Burns falsely documented that individuals had completed the required classes, though they had not.

Additionally, Burns and Parsons, both certified examiners, submitted fraudulent passing results for the skills test. On some occasions, Parsons is said to have enlisted Marline Roberts, another skills tester, to fabricate score sheets supporting the false results.

All six are now facing federal charges. Charges include conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. Charges vary for each individual. Some are facing multiple counts for wire fraud and bribery tied to federally funded programs.

“All six defendants are jointly charged with one count of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud. Alhattab and Parsons are each charged with two counts of honest services wire fraud. Burns, Davis, and Roberts are each charged with one count of wire fraud involving honest services. Alhattab, Millien, and Parsons are each charged with four counts of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. Burns, Davis, and Roberts are each charged with one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds,” the statement read.

The wire fraud violations carry a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, while the bribery counts each carry a maximum sentence of up to 10 years behind bars. Fines may reach $250,000 per count, and additional penalties include supervised release and special assessment fees.

Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson reminded the public that “the indictment is merely a charge, and that each defendant’s guilt must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Shaquille O’Neal, shaq, Georgia, Sheriff's Office, Teen, VIO, Tip

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 5, 2025

Shaq Gifts Star Freshman Athlete At University Of Pittsburgh A Spanking, New SUV

One standout student-athlete is entering college with a new car, courtesy of Shaquille O’Neal.

A standout student-athlete starting her first year at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown will be arriving on campus in a brand-new SUV, gifted by NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.

Tamara “Firefly” Humphries, 18, has made a name for herself as a standout wrestler in the Pittsburgh area. Her hard work earned her a full-ride scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, but she didn’t have a car to get there.

After gaining a large social media following for her wrestling skills, Humphries received an unexpected Instagram DM from a fan well-versed in turning athletic talent into success.

”He DM’ed me on Instagram. It was a casual DM, and I was like, ‘Uh, is this real?’” Humphries told CBS News of the DM she received from O’Neal.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tamara Humphries (@firefly.tee)

The four-time NBA champion reached out to offer Humphries support in any way she needed. When he learned she didn’t have a car, O’Neal quickly took action, securing her parents’ approval first.

”He FaceTimed my parents,” Humphries said.

“She said, ‘Shaq’s going to call you. I gave him your number.’ I was like, ‘What?’” her father, DeAndre Humphries, recalled.

Along with the new car, O’Neal gifted Humphries with some words of wisdom to take with her to college.

“You keep body slamming people, you keep listening, and you keep your grades up. I love you and no boys. Stay away from them boys,” O’Neal said.

Humphries says receiving a new car along with guidance from a sports legend is a truly priceless gift.

“Unreal. That’s how it was. That’s amazing. Those are the only words I can use for it,” she shared.

Now, she’s headed to college, ready to make her mark in collegiate wrestling and set her sights on competing in the Olympics.

“I’m going to keep the journey going, live for everybody, and we’re all going to do this together and get some Olympic titles,” Humphries said.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 5, 2025

Terrence Murphy Built A Billion-Dollar Business Empire After Short NFL Stint

Terrence Murphy turned his entrepreneurial drive into a billion-dollar business portfolio after a brief NFL career.

Terrence Murphy leveraged his talent for serial entrepreneurship to achieve over $5 billion in sales after a brief NFL career.

Murphy, an East Texas native, was selected in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers, signing a five-year, $3.4 million deal after a standout career as a wide receiver at Texas A&M. An injury cut his NFL career short, but he quickly turned his earnings into his first business venture in the real estate market.

”I started my first venture, TM5, and scaled it to $1.5B in sales in less than 8 years,” Murphy told Atlético Dallas. “That startup company had offers to be acquired, which introduced me to M&A and venture capital investing.”

With a growing real estate portfolio at the time, and alongside his wife Erica, a University of Texas at Austin graduate and licensed real estate agent, Murphy dove into the sector. Together, they developed student housing, multifamily, and luxury residential projects in communities like Traditions and Greens Prairie Reserve, eventually launching TM5 Properties, which has achieved $1.5 billion in sales.

Murphy’s TM5 Equity Partners manages nearly 1,000 rental units, while he has individually sold over 70 properties, each valued at more than $1 million. Through Terrence Murphy Companies, he holds stakes in real estate, construction, sports, and venture capital.

Now, Murphy’s newest venture is an ownership stake in Atlético Dallas, the soccer team announced in 2024 and set to debut in the United Soccer League Championship in 2027. It marks a full-circle moment for the Texas native, combining his lifelong passions for sports and entrepreneurship.

“I have recently surpassed these milestones in my career: $5B in sales and acquisitions, and I’ve built, acquired, or invested in 110 companies under the Terrence Murphy Companies portfolio,” Murphy shared. “But the ones I’m most proud of are the ones that I played a role in building. That’s how I see Atlético Dallas. It’s a chance to create something from the ground up. To build something special. What helped me transition from sports into business was a never-ending desire to evolve. That’s why I’m excited to be part of Atlético Dallas.“

Pregnant Women, Tech Companies, Layoff, prenatal

by Kandiss Edwards

September 4, 2025

Barnard College Allegedly Fires Pregnant Employee To Avoid Maternity Leave Pay

Shakira Zahiruddin is working with the Transport Workers Union after being laid off by Barnard College.

Shakira Zahiruddin is accusing Barnard College, an all-women’s institution, of firing her to avoid compensation for maternity leave.

The eight-months-pregnant custodian alleges the college violates seniority protocols and female rights. Zahiruddin believes the institution intentionally canceled her employment to avoid compensating her during maternity leave, the New York Post reported.

Zahiruddin, a mother of two, said she was let go via email on Aug. 26. During her press conference at the TWU Local 264 Union office in Brooklyn, she spoke about her disappointment in the decision of the women’s college.

“You wouldn’t really expect that due to what they stand for,” she said. “I honestly don’t know what I am going to do.”

According to the ex-employee, losing her income at such a critical time presents immediate hardship. Zahiruddin is now faced with questions about how to support her two children as well as her soon-to-be newborn.

“I feel left alone, and I am extremely worried for my kids moving forward,” she said during the press conference. “How could an all-women’s college just not care?” she added, calling the move “unjust and inhumane.”

Under her union’s collective bargaining agreement, layoffs must adhere strictly to seniority, the union says. Yet, a male custodian hired nearly four months after Zahiruddin, was kept on the janitorial staff. Retaining an employee with less time worked prompted Zahirudden and the Union to believe the decision was neither fair nor legitimate. The grievance declares the action “a deliberate attempt to erase a senior worker’s rights.”

TWU Local 264 President Joseph Rose condemned the college’s actions.

“They are just looking at the monetary aspect,” he said.

The union is demanding Zahiruddin’s reinstatement, full benefits, back pay, and a guarantee of her maternity leave.

Barnard maintains the layoff was not due to Zahirruddin’s health condition. Instead, the institution contends there is college-wide restructuring affecting 77 full-time positions. A Barnard spokesperson said the changes were driven by operational needs and complied with union procedures. The school confirmed that affected union members were informed of opportunities to reapply for open positions. Yet they do not explain how Zahiruddin’s seniority was overlooked.

Yet for the expectant mom, the timing remains devastating. The salary she relied on for income and health benefits expired six days after her release. The timeline lands just ahead of her expected delivery date. Now, without a job or coverage, she’s left to worry how she’ll support her family and manage the high costs of motherhood alone.

Black Lives Matter Plaza, Republicans, Polititcs

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 4, 2025

’Black History Matters’ Mural Repainted In St. Petersburg Before Being Removed Yet Again

The mural was repainted on the street less than 24 hours after its removal.

A “Black History Matters” mural was restored on a St. Petersburg, Florida, street less than 24 hours after it was removed.

On Wednesday, Sept. 3, a passerby saw the large street mural repainted outside the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, WFLA reports. Its return came after crews removed all art from city streets over Labor Day weekend.

The mural was one of several taken down by the Florida Department of Transportation. During its removal, two pastors were arrested while kneeling in prayer on the artwork in protest, FOX 13 reports.

“I was hoping to pray all night, I even had a pillow,” Pastor Ben Atherton-Zeman of the Unitarian Universalist Church said. “Unfortunately, we were only allowed to pray for 10 minutes.”

Atherton-Zeman said it was worth going to jail in an attempt to protect the mural. However, the second “Black History Matters” mural lasted only a few hours before Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) crews arrived late at night to repaint the street black once again.

“We live in a state where books that teach accurate Black history are banned, where teachers who teach accurate Black history are punished,” Atheron-Zeman said. “And now they want to erase a ‘Black History Matters’ mural? This is not about safety, this is about erasure.”

Originally featuring vibrant colors and patterns, some murals had been temporarily redone with chalk by protesters. The restored “Black History Matters” mural appeared in white paint.

Volunteers and mural artists originally painted the “Black Lives Matter” mural on 9th Avenue South in 2020, unveiling it during a Juneteenth celebration. In 2023, it was repainted as “Black History Matters,” with each letter created by a different artist.

The mural removal follows Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signing a law in June that requires street art to be removed from all sidewalks, roadways, curbs, and crosswalks statewide, citing safety concerns. Many Florida officials have challenged the call, but the deadline for compliance is Thursday, Sept. 4.

DeSantis has warned that state funding could be withheld if the art isn’t removed. It remains unclear whether the “Black History Matters” mural will face removal again.

“The more he paints over our murals, the more they are going to be painted back,” Atherton-Zeman said. “Because we can’t be erased.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 4, 2025

1988 Olympic Gold Medalist Park Si-Hun Gives Precious Award To Roy Jones, Jr. ‘It Belongs To You’

Jones was cheated out of the gold medal when the judges awarded Si-Hun a 3-2 split decision victory when Jones clearly won the bout

In one of the most controversial Olympic moments in history, American amateur boxer Roy Jones, Jr., after dominating his gold medal fight against his opponent, Park Si-Hun, in South Korea (Si-Hun’s country) lost a 3-2 split decision, and after 36 years, the called winner of the match handed Jones the gold medal that the sports world felt should have been given to the now-retired Jones in 1988.

Jones posted a video clip of the moment that the gold medal was finally rightfully placed in his hands, as Si-Hum’s son, who was with him at the time of the exchange, translated to an emotional Jones that he wanted him to have the prize he decisively won at the time. This took place in Pensacola, Florida, according to the social media post, a couple of years ago, but was recently posted.

“I had the gold medal, but I wanted to give it back to you,” Si-Hun says to Jones via his son. “It belongs to you. This gold medal is your problem now.”

As Jones accepted the precious medal, he got emotional.

In 1988, I was robbed of the gold medal in what became one of the biggest controversies in boxing history. By the grace of God, a couple of years ago, the man who won that medal made the trip from South Korea to my home to return it to me, feeling it was rightfully mine. pic.twitter.com/oGTwyLYft1
— Roy Jones Jr. (@RealRoyJonesJr) September 3, 2025

Yahoo! Sports reported that, although Jones was the clear winner to anyone viewing the match at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea, the judges shockingly declared Si-Hun the winner in a 3-2 split decision. The stats proved that it was a clearly one-sided fight as Jones landed almost three times the punches that Park connected on, by a margin of 86-32, through the three rounds the two boxers fought. 20-3 in Round 1, 30-15 in Round 2, and 36-14 in Round 3.

Following the fight, the three judges who declared Si-Hum the winner, Bob Kasule of Uganda, Uruguay’s Alberto Durán, and Hiouad Larbi of Morocco, were eventually suspended for six months, with two of them later banned for life. Larbi later admitted that Jones won the fight, but gave the victory to Hi-Sun to spare the home country embarrassment, as he expected the four other judges to award Jones the win.

Black Women Talk Tech, Roadmap to Billions, Toronto

by Jameelah Mullen

September 4, 2025

‘Black Women Talk Tech’ To Host Roadmap To Billions Conference In Toronto

The Roadmap To Billions Conference goes global.

For the second year in a row, Black Women Talk Tech, a collective of Black women tech founders created to support emerging tech entrepreneurs, brings its Canadian version of the Roadmap to Billions conference to Toronto.

Presented by Accelerate Auto, the conference aims to empower Black women tech founders through educational resources and community involvement. The conference will be held October 5–6, and will feature collaborations with organizations including Nobellum, PitchBetter, and Ambition.

“This isn’t just a conference—it’s a movement,” Regina Gwynn, Co-Founder of Black Women Talk Tech, said in a press release. “We’re excited to return to Toronto with even more momentum, deeper partnerships, and new opportunities for Black women founders to access capital, mentorship, and community. With Accelerate Auto as our presenting sponsor, we’re accelerating our mission to ensure Black women are at the forefront of tech innovation in Canada and beyond,” Gwynn said.

The two-day conference will include panel discussions, a headshot studio, and workshops, including Braindate, which offers strategies for networking. Emerging founders can visit the Mentor Marketplace to connect with investors and industry leaders. Conference attendees will also attend a live recording of Currencies, Black Women Talk Tech’s podcast.

Conference attendees have the chance to participate in the pitch competition, where they can win up to $10,000 CAD. Eligible participants must identify as Black women and own a tech business in Canada.

This year’s speaker lineup includes business leaders and changemakers such as the Hon. Marci Ien, former Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth of Canada; Kay Layne, founder of Kayambi; Yolanda Biswah, President of the Canadian Black Book; Amoye Henry, Co-Founder of Pitch Better; and Nkechi Nwafor-Robinson, Founder and CEO of Empowered in My Skin. For a complete list of speakers, visit the Black Women Talk Tech website.

The original Roadmap to Billions conference, started in 2017 in New York, is the only tech event created by and designed specifically for Black women founders.

RELATED CONTENT: Tap Into These 10 Black Tech Titans

Emory University Hospital Midtown Atlanta, Credit card, credit care

by Kandiss Edwards

September 4, 2025

Emory University Cuts DEI Programs, Georgia NAACP Responds

Emory University announced its decision to close its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion offices. Local NAACP urges Emory to reconsider.

On Sept. 3, Emory University announced its decision to close its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion office.

The Atlanta institution will effectively end its DEI-related Initiatives. The decision has sparked concern among students and faculty, even as Interim President Leah Ward Sears assured the community that the move was made in response to federal mandates.

“Federal laws and mandates have been implemented that require higher education institutions to alter fundamentally or even close offices and programs focused on DEI,” Ward Sears wrote.

Ward Sears goes on to state that the school will support impacted employees through the transition. Ward Sears states that the dismissal of said policies will not constitute abandoning the institution’s core values.

“The Emory I believe in is committed to every person having an equal place, voice, and chance to succeed,” Sears said. “We demonstrate this every day through how we lead, hire, mentor, and serve. Closing offices or reimagining lawful programs is not, after all, the same as ending our unwavering commitment to fairness, belonging, and opportunity for all, values that are part of Emory’s DNA.

Emory University to "promptly and carefully to discontinue current DEI offices and programs" pic.twitter.com/oVjlEgmQwf
— Dan Sinykin (@dan_sinykin) September 3, 2025

Beyond Emory, universities across the country are facing similar pressures. According to WABE, several peer institutions have rebranded or scaled back their DEI programs in response to executive interventions targeting such initiatives.

In an X post, Georgia NAACP President Gerald Griggs appealed to Emory’s board of directors to reconsider eliminating DEI programs.

“The Georgia NAACP is gravely concerned about Emory University’s decision to restructure its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs,” Griggs wrote. “While we acknowledge Emory’s stated commitment to fairness and belonging, these changes raise serious questions about how students, faculty, and staff — particularly from marginalized communities — will be supported moving forward.”

As Emory proceeds with dismantling formal DEI structures, students and faculty alike are calling for those values to remain woven into campus life.

CEOs, corporate America, Kamala Harrs, endorsement

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 4, 2025

California Highway Patrol Clocks In To Protect Kamala Harris After Trump Dumps Secret Service Detail

Reports of CHP taking on security detail for Harris came in late August after Trump signed an executive order to end her extended protection.

After President Donald Trump ended Secret Service protection for former Vice President Kamala Harris, officials from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) are stepping up to the plate, CBS News reports.

As part of the LAPD’s Metropolitan Division, special units such as the Tactical Response Teams, which provide security at high-profile events, have worked closely with the Secret Service and the Department of State to provide protection to the president, vice president, and foreign dignitaries.

Reports of the CHP taking on a security detail for Harris began to emerge in late August, following Trump’s signing of an executive order to end her extended protection, reversing an order from former President Joe Biden.

Under a law passed by Congress in 2008, previous vice presidents, their spouses, and children under 16 are set to receive protection by the Secret Service for up to six months after leaving the White House.

Prior to leaving, Biden signed an order to extend Harris’s detail to 18 months. Still, Trump ordered Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to rescind the order starting Sept. 1. That the U.S. Secret Service ran an assessment on threats toward Harris and found nothing alarming aided Trump’s decision.

Criticism started to pour in on the timing of the order.

The former California attorney general is scheduled to start a high-profile book tour for her memoir, 107 Days, covering her short-lived campaign to become the first female President of the U.S.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom will first have to sign off on CHP providing security for Harris, but there is also a cost concern. According to Fox 26 News, the agency has refused to release the line-item costs of protection for specific individuals. However, with the CHP’s overall budget being close to $3.2 billion, the base personnel costs for several officers could amount to $8 million annually.

Possible protection for Harris could include two officers on duty at all times, such as a driver and close protection, consisting of three shifts per day, equaling six officers. With added supervisors and intel support, the total number of officers could go up to 40. Additional security doesn’t include potential protection for the book tour, which could increase the cost.

Since taking over the White House for a second term, Trump has removed Secret Service protection for several former dignitaries, including Biden’s adult children, Hunter and Ashley Biden, as well as Trump’s former national security adviser during his first term, John Bolton.