State courts to consider blocking Trump from 2024 ballot under the ‘insurrection’ clause

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 13, 2026

IBM Ordered To Pay $17M To Settle Anti-DEI Case Against Trump Administration

The settlement seemingly resolves allegations of illegal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices after IBM allegedly identified “diverse” candidates for hiring or promotions while developing race and sex demographic goals.

Technology giant IBM has settled for $17 million with the Trump administration after the Department of Justice (DOJ) accused the company of “knowingly” making “false claims” regarding its hiring and employment practices found in federal contracts, CNN reports.

The settlement seemingly resolves allegations of illegal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices after the New York-based tech firm allegedly identified “diverse” candidates for hiring or promotions while developing race and sex demographic goals. IBM denied the allegations of discriminatory and illegal DEI practices, but still settled. “IBM is pleased to have resolved this matter,” an IBM spokesperson said in a statement.

“Our workforce strategy is driven by a single principle: having the right people with the right skills that our clients depend on.”

According to The Star, the settlement marks the first resolution from the DOJ’s Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, a unit formed to crack down on DEI policies under ⁠a ‌civil anti-fraud law. Since Trump’s second term started, the administration has honed in on DEI being anti-merit and discriminatory against groups such as white people and ⁠men.

Back in May 2025, the DOJ started leaning on the False Claims Act as a way to target diversity initiatives at colleges, but since Trump signed executive orders asking federal contractors and subcontractors to eliminate the initiative from their practices, creating a domino effect in the corporate sector, IBM, as a contractor, got caught in the crosshairs. It faced allegations that the company violated the act by maintaining “practices that the United States contends were discriminatory employment practices.”

Dating back to the Civil War era, the False Claims Act gives the government permission to recover funds up to three times the damages it obtains, plus penalties. It also permits private citizens to file suit, claiming the government was defrauded, and to keep a portion of any money the federal government recovers.

In a press release, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche celebrated the settlement. “Racial discrimination is illegal, and government contractors cannot evade the law by repackaging it as DEI,” Blanche said.

“The Department launched the Civil Rights Fraud Initiative to root out this misconduct, hold offenders accountable, and end this practice for good.”

Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward also released a statement pushing that “merit drives promotion and opportunity, not someone’s sex or race.” “Today’s settlement proves this Department’s commitment to ensure companies are not using taxpayer-funded work to further woke unconstitutional practices in American workplaces,” she continued.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 13, 2026

Morehouse College Student-Athletes Assists Zaxby’s Staff During Lunch

'Support like this makes a real difference for our student-athletes,' said Morehouse Athletic Director Harold Ellis

Morehouse College has a partnership with Zaxby’s, a fast food restaurant that serves mostly chicken fingers, wings, salads, and sandwiches, and student-athletes from the school joined the staff to assist with serving lunch in March.

The event took place on March 27 at a local Zaxby’s that caters to and serves the college crowd and diners in the area. The students went to the eatery to show appreciation for the popular chain’s support throughout the school year.

“Support like this makes a real difference for our student-athletes,” said Morehouse Athletic Director Harold Ellis in a written statement. “SJAC Food Groups. LLC have been tremendous partners to our program, and we were proud to spend time serving alongside their team and showing our appreciation for their commitment throughout the season.”

Morehouse has received support from Zaxby’s across several sports in the program. The restaurant supplies the athletes with meals after games and during long competition days to help keep them focused.

The school took the time to return the favor by helping staff members serve customers that day, becoming teammates with them.

“ZAXBYS is proud to partner with Morehouse College, an institution rooted in excellence, leadership, and legacy,” said an SJAC Food Groups executive (The company that owns Zaxby’s). “Together, we aim to support student success, enhance campus experiences, and create meaningful connections through great food and community engagement.”

The year has been a good one for Morehouse Athletics. The Maroon Tigers have won championships in men’s basketball regular season and tournament play, cross country, and indoor track & field. The football team has had its most successful season in seven years, and baseball and golf are currently doing well, enjoying their strongest campaigns in more than a decade.

This past weekend, the baseball team staged a successful comeback to win its game against Clark Atlanta, 17-14, moving it into fifth place in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SAIC).

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 13, 2026

BAFTA Says It ‘Fell Short’ In Handling Of Tourettes N-Word Scandal Against Michael B. Jordan And Delroy Lindo

BAFTA acknowledges shortcomings in its handling of the Tourette's N-Word scandal involving Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo.

Following a formal review of the Tourette’s-related N-word controversy at the BAFTA Awards 2026 involving Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo, the organization acknowledged it “fell short” in handling the incident that sparked global outrage.

On April 10, an independent review commissioned by the BAFTA board and carried out by RISE Associates found that the British Academy of Film and Television Arts fell short in its duty of care to guests, members, and viewers when a racial slur was shouted during the February awards. However, it found no malicious intent, the BBC reports. In response, the organization said it did not “adequately anticipate or fully prepare for the impact of such an incident in a live event environment.”

“As a result, our duty of care to everyone at the ceremony and watching at home fell short,” BAFTA said, noting the personal apologies the Academy gave to all parties affected by the incident.

During the live February ceremony, John Davidson, an executive producer on the BAFTA-winning film “I Swear,” involuntarily shouted a racial slur while Jordan and Lindo were on stage. The BAFTAs’ report follows a separate BBC investigation, which found the broadcast breached editorial standards and should not have aired the slur, though it was not intentional.

BAFTAs’ review found “a number of structural weaknesses” in the award show’s planning and crisis management.

“However,” the board noted, “it found no evidence of malicious intent by those involved in delivering the event, and we accept its conclusions in full.”

“We apologize unreservedly to the Black community, for whom the racist language used carries real pain, brutality, and trauma; to the disability community, including people with Tourette Syndrome, for whom this incident has led to unfair judgement, stigma, and distress; and to all our members, guests at the ceremony and those watching at home,” the board said in a statement. “What was supposed to be a moment of celebration was diminished and overshadowed.”

The British Academy said it is already implementing changes to prevent a repeat, including stronger escalation protocols, improved communication, and enhanced planning around access, inclusion, and support. The BBC has also pledged reforms, outlining steps to improve event planning, live production, and content takedown processes.

The backlash lingered for weeks. Davidson said he was “deeply mortified” by any suggestion his tics were intentional, while Lindo noted that no one from BAFTA contacted him or Jordan after the incident. The controversy also became a point of discussion at the NAACP Image Awards, where many voiced support for the actors.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 13, 2026

Small Businesses Hit With ‘Big Beautiful’ Bills Of Their Own Due To Trump’s Economic Policies

Small business owners noted how tariffs and rising fuel costs have impacted their bottom line.

Small businesses are bearing the brunt of Trump’s economic policies as they face higher costs to keep operations running.

The effects have even led Trump officials to recognize these increased expenses. Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler agreed that tariffs and higher fuel costs prompted by the war with Iran have negatively impacted entrepreneurs but that they will positive results.

Loeffler appeared at an automation processes facility in Forsyth County, Georgia, to continue promoting the Trump’s legislation, particularly the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act.

WSB-TV reports that Loeffler claimed the law helped the Georgia company hire more employees to support business growth. She said some “headwinds” did stunt this progress, but assured that these will give way to better economic conditions moving forward.

While she said certain policies will ultimately put more profits in the hands of business owners, others have admitted to struggles. Particularly, tariffs have become a significant expense to keep up with, even as Trump has cooled off on high markups.

“When I directly import some of our goods from China, India, there’s been a tax that’s increased, which is averaging probably around 20%, as high as, you know, last year, it was as high as 50% on some goods,” explained one Georgia business owner, Travis Reid.

Alongside these tariffs, fuel costs remain high as the Iran war continues amid fluctuating peace talks. According to AAA, gas is over $4 dollars a gallon on average. A year ago, it was priced about $1 lower.

The prices affect more than just the gas pump, hiking the overall cost of transported goods. Kiro 7 reports that fuel prices can impact every stage of the supply chain, with owners and retailers taking the initial financial hits before passing them on to consumers.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 13, 2026

Coins And Carriages! Raising A Child Now Costs Over $300K In The U.S., Study Finds

Hawaii tops the list of states.

Amid reports of declining birth rates, new research shows the cost of raising a child in the U.S. has climbed to more than $300,000.

A new estimate from LendingTree puts the cost of raising a child in 2026 at $303,418, about $16,857 per year, marking the first time it has surpassed $300,000 and a roughly 2% increase from the previous year, CBS News reports. The estimate is based on typical expenses for a couple earning the U.S. median household income of about $100,000, factoring in tax benefits.

“The cost of raising a child for 18 years has climbed to more than $300,000, and that steady rise puts tremendous strain on Americans’ budgets,” said Matt Schulz, LendingTree’s chief consumer finance analyst, in a statement.

The analysis covers costs through age 18 and excludes college, where tuition averages around $38,000 per year, adding roughly $152,000 more to the cost of raising a child and putting them in college. The findings come as rising living costs continue to strain families.

A February poll found 77% of respondents say it’s harder to raise children today than in previous generations, while earlier research shows many parents were unprepared for the expenses, some even going into debt to cover child care and other costs.

The report highlights where costs are rising fastest, with expenses in Alaska, Kansas, and Montana jumping more than 20% year over year. Hawaii ranks as the most expensive state to raise a child, with projected costs reaching $412,661 in 2026, followed by Maryland and Massachusetts.

Still, there are signs of relief. Some child-related expenses have slowed, with infant care estimated at $17,264, down $572 from the previous year. The average cost of raising a child in the first five years has also dipped slightly to $29,325 annually.

New initiatives may ease future costs. New Mexico has launched the nation’s first universal, no-cost childcare program. At the same time, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has introduced a plan to provide free childcare for children under two. The impact of these programs is expected to show in future data.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 13, 2026

Teen Birth Rates Continue To Trend Downward With More Access To Birth Control, Abortion Care

Medical experts believe greater access to reproductive health care may have sparked this trend.

Teen birth rates continue to decline, with new reports indicating a 7% decrease in 2025.

The National Center for Health Statistics published a new report on April 9 about the findings that its lead author, Brady Hamilton, calls “quite extraordinary.” With teen births on the decline, experts are also highlighting several factors driving the trend.

According to NPR, only around 126,000 newborns were born to mothers aged 15 to 19. By these figures, the average number of babies born to teen moms was just 11.7 per 1,000 females. The number of children born to younger teen mothers, those aged from 15 to 17, declined by 11%.

This number differs markedly from the same statistics reported in 1991, when 61.8 babies were born per 1,000 females in that age group. However, researchers have noted several societal changes that may have led to these reductions, which have been consistent for over three decades.

Pediatrician and medical professor Bianca Allison said teen birth rates likely go hand-in-hand with lower cases of teen pregnancies. As for this new phenomenon, Allison believes that greater access to contraception and abortion care, paired with lower sexual activity, probably play the biggest roles.

However, these numbers also contribute to the record-low birth rate in the U.S., which fell by 1% in 2024. Although none of these figures account for race and ethnicity, the general trend leans toward fewer births and notably higher cesarean delivery rates. These figures signal a change in U.S. family planning dynamics, as well as women’s agency in doing so.

For teen mothers specifically, these numbers could also signal shifts toward better reproductive health care standards, which Allison champions as a step in the right direction.

“From my perspective, as somebody who specifically studies the provision of high-quality reproductive health care and access for young people, this should be celebrated as long as this is aligned with what people are actually wanting for themselves.”

Despite strides in health care access, Allison emphasized that continued support is crucial for teen parents to build successful families and careers outside the home. She also concluded that many negative outcomes surrounding teen births stem from a lack of resources, support, and knowledge about family planning.

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 13, 2026

An Unserious President Posts A Picture Of Himself As ‘Christ The Redeemer’

The first U.S.-born pope stressed that his general appeal for peace was not a direct attack on Trump or anyone else but the president seemingly took it personally.

At 79 years old, President Donald Trump responded to his latest rift with Pope Leo XIV by posting an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus Christ on his Truth Social app.

Shocking people on social media, the image came shortly after the religious leader spoke out against Trump over the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, painting a different image of a peace-like mentality, depicting himself as Christ, laying his hand on a patient in a hospital bed while surrounded by other figures like a nurse, a soldier, and a praying woman.

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Days after the two-week ceasefire was agreed upon, Leo suggested a “delusion of omnipotence” is driving the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, NPR reports. While it’s not unusual for religious or political leaders to raise concerns about world issues, it is rare for a pope to criticize a U.S. leader directly.

However, the first U.S.-born pope stressed that his general appeal for peace was not a direct attack on Trump or anyone else, telling reporters that the Vatican’s appeals for peace and reconciliation all stem from the Gospel—and that he doesn’t fear the Trump administration.

“I will not enter into debate. The things that I say are certainly not meant as attacks on anyone. The message of the Gospel is very clear: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers.’ I will not shy away from announcing the message of the Gospel and inviting all people to look for ways of building bridges of peace and reconciliation, and looking for ways to avoid war any time that’s possible,” Leo told reporters while en route to Algeria.

“To put my message on the same plane as what the president has attempted to do here, I think, is not understanding what the message of the Gospel is. And I’m sorry to hear that, but I will continue on what I believe is the mission of the church in the world today.”

Pope Leo XIV responded to US President Donald Trump's overnight social media outburst on his way to Africa, saying he doesn't intend to attack anyone but is promoting the Gospel values of peace, & suggested that Trump doesn't properly understand the Gospel @Pontifex pic.twitter.com/2Y05by53bL
— Elise Ann Allen (@eliseannallen) April 13, 2026

In a different clip, he was heard saying he has “no fear of the Trump administration.”

Pope Leo says he has "no fear of the Trump administration" after he was asked about President Trump's Truth Social post calling the pontiff "weak on crime, and terrible for foreign policy."

"We are not politicians, we don't deal with foreign policy with the same perspective he… pic.twitter.com/37LCeprhUc
— CBS News (@CBSNews) April 13, 2026

But Trump seemingly took it personally, saying he’s “not a fan of Pope Leo” and taking credit for his appointment. In another lengthy Truth Social post, the president claimed Leo was selected because the Catholic Church believed an American pope would be better positioned to deal with him. “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican,” he wrote in his rant.

“Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church!”

Despite his verbal attacks on the religious leader, all eyes were on Trump’s disturbing image. Social media users are eager to see what his supporters, especially those whose support is rooted in Christianity, have to say about it. “I would like to see his supporters defend this, especially the ones that support him in the name of Christianity,” @westafricanbaby wrote on IG.

Others continued to post “Jesus will not be mocked,” expressing disdain for the imagery.

Users could push some blame on several evangelical leaders who, in recent weeks, have compared the president to the one who died on the cross. “And Mr. President, no one has paid the price like you have paid the price. It almost cost you your life. You were betrayed and arrested and falsely accused,” Pastor Paula White-Cain said during an Easter event at the White House.

“It’s a familiar pattern that our Lord and Savior showed us. But it didn’t end there for Him, and it didn’t end there for you.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 13, 2026

Cheating Prank Leads To Shots Fired And Boyfriend Behind Bars

Twenty-year-old Shyhied Eugene Ivey was charged with multiple felonies and is slated to be in court April 23

A man was arrested after allegedly firing into a car carrying his girlfriend and four others following a prank call she initiated.

According to Law & Crime, on April 5, 20-year-old Shyhied Eugene Ivey was charged with five counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, discharging a weapon into an occupied conveyance in operation, domestic violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The charges come after the girlfriend had one of her male friends call Ivey and pretend he was with her, cheating on Ivey.

Before the April 4 call around 11:30 p.m., Ivey’s girlfriend—whom he had been dating for about five months—was at Camp North End in Charlotte, North Carolina, getting food with friends when she decided to prank him.

Shortly after receiving the call, Ivey allegedly caught up with the group, followed closely behind their vehicle, and called his girlfriend, urging her to pull over, according to a court document. She said she saw him fire what appeared to be a handgun into the air. When he later pulled alongside their car at an intersection, he allegedly fired three shots into the vehicle before driving away.

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The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said that the incident was caught on camera, showing Ivey allegedly committing the crime at 11:38 p.m. Police officers spoke to the group of people in the car about 10 minutes after the shooting.

The man who called Ivey said that Ivey texted him at about 1:32 a.m. the next day, saying, “stop playin wimme bro.”

There were no reported injuries, and Ivey, who is a convicted felon, was booked into Mecklenburg County Detention Center on April 8 and has a scheduled court date on April 23.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 13, 2026

Doc Rivers Reportedly Out As Milwaukee Bucks Head Coach

Rivers had a 97-103 record with the Bucks.

After three seasons as the Milwaukee Bucks’ head coach Doc Rivers is not expected to return next season.

According to ESPN, sources informed NBA insider Shams Charania that the franchise will look for someone else to coach, but there may be another role for the former NBA player in the organization, possibly in an advisory capacity.

Sources: Doc Rivers out after three years with Bucks – via @ESPN App https://t.co/QtApTJzCTV
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 13, 2026

The news comes after the Bucks ended this season with a 32-50 record.

“[The season] didn’t go the way I wanted it to go, obviously,” Rivers said after Milwaukee lost its last game of the season to the Philadelphia 76ers, his former team, 126-106. “I always say I could do a better job. We could have had better health. We could have had all kinds of things. I’m not a big guy, looking back. All you can do is look forward. We did a lot of things to improve a lot of the young guys. Unfortunately, that was the road that kind of presented itself for us, and we did that.”

Rivers, who won an NBA championship in 2008 with the Boston Celtics, had a 97-103 record during his nearly three seasons with the Bucks. He was (surprisingly) hired in January 2024 to replace Adrian Griffin, who had a 30-13 record. Rivers went 17-19 the rest of the way. The Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers 4-2 in the first round of the playoffs.

The following season saw another first-round exit. This season, the Bucks missed the postseason entirely, ending a nine-year playoff streak.

Rivers, who will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame later this year, ranks sixth all-time among NBA coaches in regular-season wins and fourth all-time in career playoff victories. He also coached for the Orlando Magic and the Los Angeles Clippers.

howard basketball, investment, Kaleena Smith, Wilberforce University, Unrivaled,

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 13, 2026

Howard Women’s Basketball Team To Stay In Locker Room For National Anthem Next Season

The team chose to remain in the locker room as new policy prevents them from kneeling at future games.

The women’s basketball team at Howard University is remaining true to its stance on justice during pregame protocols.

For the past six seasons, these HBCU athletes have chosen to kneel during the national anthem. The decision mirrors the famed choice by former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick to “take a knee” over police brutality, shared by Know Your Rights Camp.

The women athletes will keep the momentum of their kneeling, but will now do so behind closed doors. According to the HBCU’s newspaper, The Hilltop, the school’s athletic department stated the school’s policy on the national anthem.

Following a game against the U.S. Army in December, the athletic department implemented a new protocol. The Vice President of Athletics, Kery Davis, emphasized how the update showed “mutual respect” for all communities while maintaining students’ ability to express themselves freely.

“There have been thoughtful internal conversations between athletics leadership, coaches and student-athletes regarding pregame protocols,” revealed Davis. “The current approach is about supporting our students’ freedom of expression while upholding mutual respect for all communities.”

The new rule requires players to either stand up for the national anthem or stay in the locker room during the song. The team overwhelmingly chose the latter, even while on the road at away games.

“We don’t want to bring any bad light to Howard University, so we just decided to stay in the locker room now for every game, home and away, and we will continue to do that throughout the rest of the season,” explained associate head coach Brian Davis.

For the players, the decision is not to disrespect but to remain true to their values of justice and to the school’s motto of truth and service. As an HBCU in the nation’s capital, Howard has a storied legacy of activism and civil disobedience, participating in national calls for change as well as institutional ones within the university.

As the school cracks down on blatant opposition to national pride, other student-athletes have questioned the policy, arguing that it undermines students’ freedoms.

“If they can take away our right to protest, what else can they take away?” inquired Howard soccer player, Ireal Wyze-Daly. “I would never believe that coming to Howard, the biggest HBCU in the world, The Mecca, would basically be forced to bow down to the white oppressive system.”

Moving forward, the women’s basketball squad will navigate new provisions at the HBCU as they begin games in the locker room next season.