• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 27, 2026

Resorts World NYC To Open Live Table Games April 28

"'New York City has never seen anything like what we're planning for April 28,," said Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East.

---

The Nas-backed Resorts World New York City (RWNYC) will open April 28 with over 240 live table games, reportedly the first time this has happened in the city’s history.

The casino will offer blackjack, craps, baccarat, and roulette, as well as thousands of slot machines with multi-million-dollar jackpots. Attendees will see the games on the reimagined third floor.

“New York City has never seen anything like what we’re planning for April 28. Once the Gaming Commission’s final testing is complete, live table games will be open and operating right here in Queens for the first time in the history of New York City. We are ready to welcome New Yorkers to this exciting new experience,” said Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East, in a written statement.

In the announcement, DeSalvio said the casino now employs over 2,200 people, which doubles the workforce. He anticipates thousands of additional hires over the next three years.

When the floor opens, Nas, along with Genting Chairman KT Lim, will be joined by many elected officials, community leaders, and entertainers. They will be participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony and ceremonial throw of the first dice.

The Queens recording artist had announced in the summer of 2025 that he forged a new partnership with Resorts World as part of its $5.5 billion expansion in his borough.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nasir Jones (@nas)

The expansion was undertaken by RWNYC, which aimed to build on the resort’s 15-year legacy of community partnership with a 5.6 million-square-foot proposal. It also promised to grow the casino, while creating thousands of union jobs, and generating billions for education and transit for Southeast Queens.

The entrepreneurial rapper has expanded his business portfolio by recently announcing the opening of three restaurants in Midtown Manhattan: Bar Chimera, COTE 550, and Sushi Yoshitake. He partnered with Gracious Hospitality Management in the ventures.

RELATED CONTENT: QGTM: Nas Collabs With Resort World Casino To The Tune Of $5BIL

• Health and Wellness

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 27, 2026

The Currys Relaunch PLEZi Hydration Drink As New Formula Appeals To Wider Audience

The married couple are co-founders of the brand, which now promotes health-focused beverages for families and active adults.

---

Steph and Ayesha Curry are reintroducing their PLEZi Hydration drink with a new formula to fit all activity levels and ages.

The Currys are already co-founders of the drink’s overarching brand, PLEZi Nutrition. Now, with their deeper creative input, they have relaunched PLEZi Hydration to support families and active adults.

The new formula ensures the safety and wellness of its wide-ranging audience, allowing drinkers to get an extra boost of hydration with every sip. The sports-famous family has used their star power to shed more light on the brand founded by Michelle Obama, which focuses on providing nutritious beverages for healthy living.

“When I think about what I grew up drinking versus what we know now about performance and hydration, there’s a real opportunity to raise the bar,” said Steph Curry, as reported by Essence. “With PLEZi Hydration, we wanted something that supports another level of hydration but still tastes great for the whole family, whether you’re an athlete or just someone who’s active in some way, shape or form.”

The married couple was the initial investors and brand partners for PLEZi. Noting its mission to produce nutrition-focused beverages, the basketball star emphasized that PLEZi’s values align with his family’s, further amplified through their Eat.Learn.Play foundation.

“For me, getting involved with PLEZi was about authenticity,” Curry added. “Everything I’m part of aligns with what we truly stand for. It’s never about just putting my name on a label—it’s about having a real seat at the table and being part of the decision-making process.”

Now, the new and improved PLEZi hydration will encourage anyone to drink with their health in mind. For Mrs. Curry, the famed chef said the flavor and health benefits go hand in hand.

“I think you’re getting that health factor while still keeping the integrity of something being delicious so that you’re not feeling like you have to choose being healthy over satisfying your cravings,” added the mother of four.

According to PLEZi’s website, the hydration drinks come in four distinct flavors: Orange Mango Slush, Fruit Punch, Berry Boom, and Lemon Lime Splash. While PLEZi Hydration rolls out new products to a widespread demographic, they hope to inspire healthy choices across generations.

“I hope [people] take away from this; that fueling your body can be easy and fun and delicious all at the same time, and that hopefully they find this a less stressful option and they feel like they don’t have to think about what to choose anymore,” continued Ayesha.

RELATED CONTENT: Ayesha Curry & Sydel Curry-Lee Talk Luxury Wine

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 27, 2026

Man Who Lost Legs And Fingers Accuses Fulton County Jail Of Medical Neglect

Fulton County Jail is facing allegations of medical neglect after a former inmate suffered septic shock while in custody, leading to the amputation of his legs and fingers.

---

A former inmate at Fulton County Jail is accusing the facility of medical neglect after suffering septic shock that led to multiple amputations.

Rashaad Muhammad has hired civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump and attorney Eric Hertz to pursue legal action after losing both legs and several fingers following septic shock while detained at Fulton County Jail, 11 Alive reports. The legal action follows his detention last August on charges that were later dropped, during which he says his repeated requests for medical care were denied.

“For the rest of his life, Rashad Muhammad has to live with the nightmares from the Fulton County Jail because of the failures of the care that he received,” said Ben Crump during an April 24 press conference.

In an Instagram video, Muhammad said he was arrested in August 2025 on aggravated assault charges, which were later dropped. Muhammad said that he informed officers he had a bladder infection and was on medication. He says he grew seriously ill during his more than two-week detention, repeatedly requesting care but being ignored until he began vomiting black liquid.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Politicallyoppressed (@politicallyoppressed)

His condition progressed to sepsis and septic shock, and he was taken to Grady Hospital, where he remained in a coma for nearly two weeks. Complications from the infection led to multiple surgeries, resulting in the amputation of his legs and several fingers.

“This was so very preventable. It is deplorable. It is horrendous. It is egregious. It is a violation of the United States Constitution,” attorney Crump said. “The deliberate indifference that was shown to Rashaad Muhammad while he was in the custody of the Fulton County Jail.”

According to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Muhammad was in custody for 177 days but spent only 11 days in the jail’s medical unit, adding that he was already ill upon arrival. Crump—who previously represented the family of LaShawn Thompson, whose 2022 death at the facility was ruled a homicide after an independent medical review—argued conditions at the jail have not improved since Thompson’s death and said a lawsuit is forthcoming.

Graphic images shown at the press conference revealed Muhammad’s condition upon arrival at Grady Hospital, including severely discolored fingers and post-surgery photos showing amputations. Muhammad and his legal team called for accountability, transparency, and a full investigation into jail conditions and medical care.

Fighting back emotion, he shared, “My daughter asked me, ‘Daddy, do you have vitiligo?’ These scars are forever.”

RELATED CONTENT: Rappers Vic Mensa, Hundred Round Kado Team Up To Send Books to Illinois Jails To Liberate Incarcerated

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 27, 2026

New Bipartisan Bill Aims To Make Rotisserie Chicken Eligible For SNAP Benefits

In a statement, Fetterman prompted the new key word on Capitol Hill - “affordability” - as a reasoning for the change.

---

A group of bipartisan senators is pushing to make rotisserie chicken eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients with a new bill, The Hill reported. 

Sponsored by Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, the Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act moves to amend the 2008 Food and Nutrition Act by modifying the definition of food and adding “hot rotisserie chicken.” As current legislation doesn’t permit the purchase of hot prepared foods, only cooled but cooked rotisserie chicken, the amendment would “allow all hot foods to be included for purchase.” 

In a statement, Fetterman prompted the new keyword on Capitol Hill – “affordability” – as a reason for the change.

“America’s best (and delicious) affordability play is Costco’s $4.99 rotisserie chicken,” Fetterman said. 

“It’s one of my family’s favorites, and I’m proud to join this bill with Senator Justice for all to try. SNAP funds would be well spent to feed our nation’s families who need it.”

Other lawmakers agree, including fellow Democratic leader Sen. Michael Bennett of Colorado and Republican West Virginia Sens. Jim Justice and Shelley Moore Capito. Justice called the concept “as basic as you can get to help busy parents or grandparents put something as simple as this on the table to feed their families.”

“It’s plain common sense: a hot rotisserie chicken is a healthy, easy meal for busy families. Folks on SNAP should be able to grab one on the go,” he wrote on X in his support of the legislation. 

The program, which provides a monthly stipend for low-income families to purchase groceries, has excluded hot meals for decades, in an effort to promote home cooking, according to WPXI.  

However, legislation such as the Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act supports critics’ sentiments that the ban is outdated and limits families already struggling to make ends meet and access nutritious options.

“We have to give people the option to put a healthy, protein-dense choice on the table that actually tastes good and doesn’t take an hour and a half to cook,” Justice said in a statement.

Similar amendments receiving bipartisan support have been introduced, such as a farm bill sponsored by Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.)  He pushed for rotisserie chicken to be included in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. “Hot rotisserie chicken is healthy, widely available, popular in grocery stores, and aligns with the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans promoting nutrient-dense protein,” Crawford said in the statement.

Deemed successful, GOP Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders submitted a waiver to extend the program to cover hot rotisserie chicken. 

The legislation is one of the latest battles over approved vs. disapproved foods eligible for SNAP benefits, used by nearly 42 million Americans. On average, the monthly benefit per household is close to $350, with the average benefit per person being $190.

As lawmakers at both the state and federal levels have gone back and forth on which foods should be eligible for SNAP benefits, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has urged states to exclude junk food, such as soda and candy, from SNAP eligibility.

RELATED CONTENT: Mississippi Women Sentenced After Racking Up $122K In Separate SNAP Fraud Schemes 

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 27, 2026

Man Arrested After Allegedly Stabbing Neighbors Over Dog Urinating On His Lawn

A man was arrested on assault charges after stabbing his neighbors whose dog peed on his grass.

---

A man in Queens, New York, has been arrested on assault charges after allegedly stabbing a couple whose dog had urinated on his lawn.

Hakeem Alexander of Queens, 34, has been charged with three counts of assault after allegedly stabbing a 39-year-old man and a woman outside his home on 229th Street on April 23, ABC 7 NY reports. Authorities say the incident began when Alexander saw the couple’s French Bulldog urinating on a patch of grass near his residence in Laurelton.

Surveillance footage shows a man and woman walking their French Bulldog along 229th Street near 141st Avenue just before 11 a.m. The dog appears to urinate on a patch of grass outside a neighboring home, prompting two men inside to come out and seemingly retaliate by relieving themselves on the adjacent lawn.

The situation quickly escalated, with the woman striking one of the men and a chaotic altercation breaking out between the neighbors.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ABC7NY (@abc7ny)

The footage shows the woman striking him from behind, after which he begins throwing punches at the couple, escalating into the stabbings. Authorities say the attacker slashed the woman’s left hand and stabbed her boyfriend in the back. Authorities say the suspect’s 62-year-old father was also injured, suffering a slash to the hand. The New York Police Department recovered the knife at the scene.

All three were taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and are in stable condition.

“It’s really senseless to get violent and go to that extreme over something like that,” said neighbor Bobby Sauro.

Alexander was arrested and charged with three counts of felony assault, and authorities say he has no prior arrests. His arraignment was pending in Queens Criminal Court as of April 24.

The incident comes weeks after 75-year-old Linda Scott was attacked in Crown Heights after asking two women to clean up after their dogs—an assault that ended when a Navy veteran neighbor intervened.

RELATED CONTENT: Trump Pushes The Limit By Becoming The First Sitting President To Add His Signature To Paper Currency

• Sports

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 27, 2026

NBA Legend ‘Dr. J’ Encourages NBA Players To Brush Up On All-Star Dunk Contest History

He feels most players don't know the history and if so, they would participate in the contest

---

NBA Hall of Fame player Julius “Dr. J.” Erving has called on current players to “learn the history” of the All-Star Dunk Contest to encourage some of the bigger stars to participate in the annual event.

According to TMZ, while catching up with the former Philadelphia 76ers legend recently, the outlet spoke with him about the lack of spark the dunk contest has shown in recent years. Dr. J was known for playing the game “above the rim” and was the standard-bearer before Michael Jordan took what he had done and raised it to another level.

Dr. J was the winner of the first-ever All-Star Dunk Contest when it was initiated in 1976.

When asked whether the league should make participation mandatory for players, he said it shouldn’t be.

“They can’t make people do stuff these days. They make too much money to make them do anything. Sometimes they don’t even want to play.”

However, he feels that some of the stars should step up, and if they knew the contest’s history, they would probably feel compelled to participate.

“It’d be nice if some of the stars would step up,” says Dr. J.

Citing that some of the players weren’t even born when the first contest was introduced, Dr. J understands they may be oblivious to it.

“I was in the original, way back in 1976. So, some of them weren’t even born, so they don’t know the total history.”

“So, once you learn the history… you’re going to let some of the stars know that they should participate, right?”

Dr. J has recently partnered with Rockport in an endorsement deal.

In 1976, he was the first professional basketball player to have a sneaker deal. He signed his latest footwear deal as part of a campaign that uses artificial intelligence to recapture his younger playing days.

In the promo video, the 74-year-old basketball legend is shown on a basketball court, in a younger version of himself, wearing a basketball uniform, showcasing his skills. As the video progresses, so does Dr. J in age, but also, transitioning from a basketball player to a businessman. He starts the clip in a uniform and sneakers, but ends in a suit and shoes.

Dr. J was also recently featured in the Prime Video docuseries, Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association.

RELATED CONTENT: Winston-Salem State University’s Red Sea of Sound Marching Band Will Perform At LA Clippers-San Antonio Spurs Game

• Celebrity News

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 27, 2026

Ice Spice Moves On From McDonald’s Drama, Teases Possible ‘Spicy’ Wendy’s Link-Up

The rapper used the viral attack to further promote her partnership with Wendy's.

---

Wendy’s and Ice Spice hope to turn a negative moment into marketing gold, with the rapper hinting at a collaboration with the fast food chain.

The news comes as Ice Spice reappeared in the public eye over a viral attack at a McDonald’s in Los Angeles. Ice Spice is already a partner with Wendy’s, which chose to capitalize on the ordeal for further publicity. She and the fast-food eatery teased a new collaboration in which the newly coined “Ice Spicy” will make her debut.

👀👀👀 https://t.co/SZAePU62In

— ice spicy (@icespice) April 24, 2026

Initially, Ice Spice did not shy away from addressing the altercation at McDonald’s. Instead, the 26-year-old rapper poked fun at the matter by posting the video herself and mentioning the fast food chain’s competitor.

this wouldn’t happen at Wendy’s pic.twitter.com/8Chwnz8pjM

— ice spicy (@icespice) April 18, 2026

“This wouldn’t happen at Wendy’s,” she wrote on the viral post.

The video, mainly taken from security footage, showed a woman approach the entertainer and a friend while they ate at the restaurant. The girl threw a jab at the Bronx rapper, leading to a brawl between them.

Before the video went viral, she also mentioned that her new financial status had not stopped her from craving Wendy’s new spicy chicken sandwich.

“Still rich, still craving @wendys new spicy chicken sandwich #wendyspartner,” she wrote in a X post on April 9.

Now, Ice Spice has seemingly put the McDonald’s attack behind her. As for what her Wendy’s collaboration entails, fans are speculating it could involve a spicy meal deal. The burger chain has already solidified its relationship with the “Big Guy” rapper, calling her “our princess” with a fiery heart emoji in their response to the X post.

While Ice Spice brushes off the incident, she hopes to begin a new era with her Wendy’s partnership on the way. However, when fans can expect a rollout of the spicy campaign remains under wraps.

RELATED CONTENT: 4/20 Guide: Cannabis, Music And Business Events To Get With

• HBCU

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 27, 2026

NC A&T Audit Reveals $5M In Financial Aid Went To Officials’ Student Relatives

Out of $5 million, over $780,000 went to students who were employed by the Greensboro-based HBCU, family members of university employees, or had a personal or professional connection to NC A&T.

---

North Carolina A&T State University is facing a criminal inquiry by the State Bureau of Investigation after an audit found that more than $5 million in financial aid may have been distributed to ineligible recipients, including family members of university employees, The Carolina Journal reported. 

An Investigative Special Report by the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor (NCOSA) found the HBCU’s Division of Business and Finance distributed funds as financial assistance without evidence of merit or need-based criteria between 2017 and 2025. Administrative Recovery Funds (ARF), fees charged to Aggies for services such as housing, dining, and parking, were used to provide $5 million in financial assistance to students, some of whom had connections to former senior university officials.

Out of the massive amount, over $780,000 went to students employed by the Greensboro-based HBCU, family members of university employees, or had a personal or professional connection to NC A&T. 

The nephew of the former executive director of the Real Estate Foundation received $73,063 in financial awards, the daughter of an NC A&T Center for Teaching Excellence external advisory board member received $23,052, and the son of a former part-time English instructor received $22,545.

In addition, the son of the former associate vice chancellor for campus enterprises received $18,707, and the daughter of the former assistant vice chancellor for business and finance was awarded $14,888. 

The audit also revealed controversial moves by the former vice chancellor, authorizing tuition assistance of $36,654 and $12,000 for two friends of an out-of-state student. Per a discussion between the former associate vice provost for enrollment management and the former director of financial aid operations, the former associate vice provost’s son was able to remain at the school despite a policy that prevented him from remaining enrolled. 

Instead, the family member received a $10,000 scholarship award, exceeding the $2,000 budgeted amount of said scholarship.

According to AfroTech, State Auditor Dave Boliek, in his report, said the moves set the students up for favoritism. “The influence and actions by former senior officials, combined with the lack of internal controls at North Carolina A&T, led to several instances of preferential treatment that resulted in personal advantage and gain,” Boliek said. 

“Public university dollars that could have benefited other students or programs were instead directed toward those who had the benefit of having a personal connection with senior officials.”

As the report went public, Chancellor James R. Martin II sent communications to students about what was reported and how the school is correcting the wrong, stating the Division of Business and Finance will no longer award financial aid and will “immediately discontinue” awarding scholarships to students who the audit revealed were wrongfully awarded.

“N.C. A&T identified this problem through our own internal audit process, and I personally contacted State Auditor Boliek because full transparency demands nothing less,” Martin continued. “I am grateful to Auditor Boliek and his team for the thoroughness and professionalism of their review. Our students deserve to know that every dollar they pay is managed with integrity, and the corrective actions we have taken reflect that commitment.”

RELATED CONTENT: North Carolina A&T Taps Queen Latifah As Graduation Keynote Speaker

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 27, 2026

CBS’ Norah O’Donnell Reads White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting Suspect ‘Manifesto’ Out Loud, Upsetting Trump

Chaos broke out during the April 25 evening event after Allen allegedly charged a security checkpoint outside the dinner while being armed with a shotgun, a handgun and knives.

---

The White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting suspect, Cole Allen, wrote a “manifesto” with plans to target Trump administration officials, “prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest,” and claims that he “no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,” CBS News reports

However, when CBS News’s Norah O’Donnell read the manifesto aloud to President Donald Trump during a “60 Minutes” segment just 24 hours later, Trump didn’t seem pleased.

“I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would, because you’re horrible people. Horrible people,” he said. 

“Yeah, he did write that. I’m not a rapist. I didn’t rape anybody.”

Shortly after, O’Donnell interjected, asking, “Oh, do you think he was referring to you?”

Chaos erupted during the April 25 evening event, where journalists and political dignitaries gather annually. Allen, 31, allegedly charged a security checkpoint outside the dinner while being armed with a shotgun, a handgun, and knives. Trump and Vice President JD Vance were immediately escorted out after shots were heard being fired, canceling the remaining festivities. 

In his manifesto, the suspect, a native of Torrance, California, said law enforcement, hotel employees, and guests weren’t intended targets but claimed he would attack if it came to them getting in his way of the administration. “I really hope it doesn’t come to that,” Allen wrote. 

However, there were a few administrative leaders that Allen seemingly had no issue with, including “Mr. Patel,” he said, in reference to the FBI director who was present at Saturday’s dinner, the Secret Service, Capitol Police, or National Guard troops, unless necessary. “I hope they are wearing body armor,” he wrote. 

He even criticized the Secret Service, questioning their operation. “Ok, now that all the sappy stuff is done, what the hell is the Secret Service doing? … No damn security. Not in transport. Not in the hotel. Not in the event,” Allen wrote. 

According to NPR, Allen sent the manifesto to his family members just minutes before the incident. During an interview with the Secret Service and Montgomery County Police, Allen’s sister said her brother was known for making radical statements and continued to refer to a plan to do “something” to address issues in today’s world. 

She also said he purchased two handguns and a shotgun that were kept at his parents’ home, unbeknownst to them. 

The suspect faces charges of using a firearm during a crime of violence and assault of a federal officer using a dangerous weapon after a Secret Service agent was shot in the process. U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro said additional charges are expected following his April 27 arraignment.

RELATED CONTENT: Trump Nominates Dr. Erica Schwartz To Lead the CDC, Signaling Shift In Vaccine Approach

• Sports

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 27, 2026

Russell Wilson Pinch-Hits In Savannah Bananas Appearance

'Fun Times with the Fans! My kids loved the day!'

---

Former New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson made a surprise appearance as a baseball player when he stepped in as a pinch-hitter for the Savannah Bananas in their recent game.

The free-agent NFL player was in The Bronx at Yankee Stadium on April 26 as the Bananas were playing against the Party Animals, according to ESPN. As the announcer introduced him in the fifth inning, causing baseball fans to react in excitement, he stepped up to the plate after acknowledging the crowd. He ended up hitting the ball into the infield, where he was thrown out near first base, nearly colliding with the opposing player, ending the inning.

According to Heavy, this was not the quarterback’s first time on a baseball diamond, as Wilson played college baseball before setting his sights on a football career. Wilson played baseball in high school at Collegiate High School in Richmond, Virginia, and at North Carolina State University from 2008 to 2010. He was actually drafted two times in the Major League Baseball (MLB) Amateur Draft. In the 2007 June amateur draft, the Baltimore Orioles selected him in the 41st round. The Colorado Rockies took him in the fourth round of the 2010 June amateur draft.

Wilson also played for the Gastonia Grizzlies in the summer of 2009, alongside Jesse Cole, who was the team’s general manager and also founded the traveling baseball-entertainment Bananas. Wilson acknowledged that Cole, who invited him to play, was the person who recruited him to play for the Grizzlies.

“Fun Times with the Fans! My kids loved the day! Thanks, Jesse Cole, for the Call! I remember you were my GM when I was 19 years old!”

The Party Animals beat the Bananas, 7-2, for their second loss of the year.

Wilson last played for the New York Giants during the 2025-26 NFL season.

RELATED CONTENT: Russell Wilson Shoots Down Any Thoughts Of Foolishness After Name Is Listed In ‘Epstein Files’