by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 10, 2026

Prince Estate Settles Trademark Lawsuit With ‘Purple Rain’ Star Apollonia

Prince’s estate reached an undisclosed settlement with Patty Kotero over her use of the “Apollonia” name.

Prince’s estate has settled a trademark lawsuit filed by actress, singer, and former Prince collaborator Patty Kotero, better known as Apollonia.

On April 8, Kotero told a Los Angeles federal court she would drop the lawsuit, with her attorney Daniel Cislo confirming a settlement the next day and saying she was “very pleased with the outcome,” Reuters reports.

“We are pleased to report that the case has been settled and that our client, Apollonia, is very pleased with the outcome,” lawyer Daniel M. Cislo said in a statement. “Apollonia is very happy that the parties can continue to honour the legacy of Prince and his musical genius. In a time of so much conflict, it is very good to see people coming together to resolve their dispute.”

Kotero sued Prince’s estate in California last August, seeking a ruling that she owns the “Apollonia” name and arguing the estate was too late to challenge her trademark. The singer, who played Prince’s love interest in the 1984 film “Purple Rain,” said the estate filed for a federal “Apollonia” trademark covering clothing and entertainment, and also asked the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to cancel her existing trademark, citing contracts she signed in the early 1980s.

As Apollonia, Kotero released an album with Prince’s group, Apollonia 6, and collaborated on “Manic Monday” by The Bangles, while also starring in “Purple Rain.” She said they remained friends until his death in 2016, and that she now hosts the podcast “Apollonia Studio 6.”

Prince’s estate responded to Kotero’s lawsuit in October, saying it never tried to stop her from using the name and calling the case an improper attempt to sidestep a potential ruling by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. A California court had been set to hear the estate’s motion to dismiss on April 10, but both sides reached a settlement before the hearing.

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 10, 2026

New Anthropic AI Model Deemed Unsafe For Public Release, Evens Scaring Treasury Secretary

Anthropic said the initiative formed after discovering the capabilities of Mythos Preview, stating the model “could reshape cybersecurity” but not before warning of vulnerabilities.

American artificial intelligence company Anthropic is dialing back on the full release of its new AI model, Claude Mythos Preview, after revealing it is too dangerous for public usage, with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent issuing warnings, The Hill reports.

As part of Anthropic’s latest initiative, Project Glasswing, Claude Mythos Preview focuses on identifying and patching security vulnerabilities in critical software. While available only to a select group of technology firms, including Microsoft, Apple, CrowdStrike, and Amazon Web Services, as well as 40 other organizations, Anthropic said the initiative was formed after discovering the capabilities of Mythos Preview, stating that the model “could reshape cybersecurity.”

Mythos Preview has already found several high-security vulnerabilities, including some in each major operating system and web browser, that were unknown to the software’s developers prior to this, with some dating back over two decades. Before models like Mythos, these vulnerabilities would have gone undetected for years.

Currently, the technology is enabling hackers and foreign adversaries to detect these vulnerabilities with ease. “Given the rate of AI progress, it will not be longer before such capabilities proliferate, potentially beyond actors who are committed to deploying them safely,” Anthropic wrote in its announcement.

“The fallout — for economics, public safety, and national security — could be severe.”

Forbes outlined some findings, such as a vulnerability in OpenBSD, an operating system known as one of the most secure in the world, used to run firewalls and substantial infrastructure. It found a bug permitting anyone to crash a machine remotely just by connecting to it.

After 27 years, human review missed it.

It also identified a 17-year-old remote code execution vulnerability in FreeBSD, giving anyone access to a machine running from anywhere on the internet.

While highlighting the dangers of these capabilities, the company also emphasizes the opportunity to find and fix software flaws and to build new software more easily with fewer security bugs.

The risk spooked Bessent and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell enough to call an urgent meeting with the CEOs of leading financial institutions to warn of ‌cyber risks posed by Anthropic’s latest AI model, according to Reuters.

The April 7 meeting in Washington, D.C., sought to ensure that banks are aware of the risks posed by Mythos and similar models and are taking appropriate steps to defend their systems.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 10, 2026

Diddy’s Attorneys Argue ‘Freak-Offs’ Are Protected Under First Amendment

They made the argument during a recent appeals hearing

Attorneys for Sean “Diddy” Combs argued during a recent appeals hearing that the “Freak-Offs” mentioned in his case were not a crime but amateur photography that the mogul and his girlfriends would later view.

According to TMZ, at the hearing, which took place on April 9, the lawyers said that the Mann Act doesn’t apply and the sex acts that were filmed are protected by the First Amendment.

“Freak-offs and hotel nights were highly choreographed sexual performances involving the use of costumes, role play, and staged lighting, which were filmed so Combs and his girlfriends could watch this amateur pornography later. Pornography production and viewing of this sort is protected by the First Amendment and thus cannot constitutionally be prosecuted.”

They also said that the 50-month prison sentence handed down to Diddy is longer than the typical 15-month sentence for such a crime. He has been imprisoned for 19 months now.

However, according to CNN, the prosecutors called the defense’s argument “meritless.”

“Combs is entirely differently situated from adult film distributors: He hired and transported commercial sex workers to have sex with his girlfriends for his own sexual gratification, sometimes directly participating in the sex acts,” prosecutors wrote in February when they responded to the defense.

Prosecutors also said that agreeing with Diddy’s legal team would mean “any defendant who transported others to engage in prostitution could escape liability simply by watching or filming the sex.”

Diddy’s attorneys are looking for their client to be released from prison, arguing that his trial judge, US District Judge Arun Subramanian, unjustifiably considered conduct that the jury did not convict him on; specifically, the evidence that links him to the more serious counts of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. They are also requesting that the appeals court acquit Combs of the prostitution-related charges or send the case back for resentencing.

Diddy was sentenced after being found guilty on two counts of transporting individuals to engage in prostitution under the Mann Act and is currently at Fort Dix in New Jersey. If he loses the appeal, the music executive is scheduled to be released from prison on April 15, 2028.

RELATED CONTENT: Diddy Given Earlier Prison Release Date

Issa Rae and Raquel at TheWrap's Creator x Hollywood Summit

by Janee Bolden

April 10, 2026

Issa Rae, TikTok Partner on New Micro-Series Strategy With ‘Screen Time’

Issa Rae is returning to her digital roots, this time with the backing of one of the world’s most powerful distribution platforms.

TikTok has partnered with Rae’s media company HOORAE to roll out a new slate of original micro-series, doubling down on short-form, creator-led storytelling. The first project out the gate is Screen Time, a scripted series produced by HOORAE Digital launching later this month.

The partnership signals a bigger play for TikTok. The platform isn’t just where content goes viral anymore; it’s positioning itself as a place where premium content actually lives and grows, especially through its PineDrama vertical.

For Rae, the move feels full circle.

Speaking at TheWrap’s Creator x Hollywood Summit, Issa Rae described the partnership as a return to the kind of storytelling that first put her on the map, just updated for how people actually watch now.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to tell stories in a way that feels premium and elevated, but is concise and available to audiences directly,” Rae said. “TikTok has become a leader in discovery and supporting creator-led content, so partnering with them gives us the platform to ensure our stories are seen and shared across the globe.”

"Screen Time" cast Brittney Jefferson, Eric C. Lynch, Jasmine Luv, Xavier Avila, and Jenna Nolen,

At the center of the rollout is Screen Time, a micro-series that leans into suspense and relationship drama. What starts as a double-date movie night quickly spirals when a mysterious figure hijacks the television, forcing the couples to reveal their secrets or risk public exposure.

The series stars Brittney Jefferson, Eric C. Lynch, Jasmine Luv, Xavier Avila, and Jenna Nolen, bringing together a mix of rising talent that fits right in with HOORAE’s culture-forward storytelling approach.

Beyond the plot, the real story is the format.

TikTok is betting big on micro-series as the next wave of entertainment, where short-form can still deliver high quality. These shows are built to feel cinematic, but designed to live inside the scroll, where discovery, conversation, and community all happen at once.

“TikTok is building a new model for micro-series, pairing creator-led storytelling with scaled distribution to reach audiences faster than ever,” said Dawn Yang, global head of Entertainment Partnerships at TikTok.

That model leans into what the platform already does best. Content doesn’t just reach viewers, it gets shared, remixed, and talked about in real time.

For HOORAE, the partnership is another step in expanding its footprint across film, TV, music, and digital, and in continuing to build a pipeline of stories that feel both culturally specific and widely accessible.

The companies say additional micro-series are already in development, spanning comedy, thrillers, action, and fantasy.

As audiences keep shifting toward shorter, more immersive viewing, partnerships like this are starting to answer a bigger question: what does “premium” look like in the age of the feed?

With this deal, Rae is making it clear she intends to be part of that answer.

by Kandiss Edwards

April 10, 2026

University Of Alabama Once Again Claims Top Ranking In Healthcare Management

The School of Health Professions serves more than 2,500 students and offers a variety of specialized degrees beyond administration.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham has secured the No. 1 ranking in a new national evaluation of healthcare management education; the institution also ranked in the top 20 in 16 other categories.

U.S. News & World Report recognized UAB’s Master of Science in Health Administration program as the best in the United States. The university’s School of Health Professions has consistently placed within the upper tier of medical education programs for several decades.

The ranking process involves a comprehensive assessment of peer reputations and program quality. For the 2026 reporting cycle, academic leaders and administrators from across the country participated in surveys to determine which institutions provide the most rigorous and effective training for future healthcare executives. UAB’s program remains a dominant institution among other prestigious institutions, such as the University of Michigan and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

University officials credit the No. 1 ranking to the program’s unique curriculum and its proximity to a major academic medical center. Students within the health administration track often participate in residency programs and administrative fellowships at the UAB Health System. The proximity and access to such residencies provide them with direct experience in managing a large-scale clinical environment.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham is strengthening its position as a national leader in healthcare education, with multiple graduate programs earning top rankings in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools list.

A total of 17 UAB graduate and specialty… pic.twitter.com/XAPg2BQqei
— Yellowhammer News (@yhn) April 9, 2026

The School of Health Professions serves more than 2,500 students and offers a variety of specialized degrees beyond administration. Degree paths range from clinical laboratory sciences to nutrition. The health administration program specifically focuses on developing skills in strategic planning, financial management, and policy analysis. Graduates from the program frequently move into senior leadership roles at hospitals. Additionally, their skills secure careers at insurance companies and government health agencies.

“UAB’s continued prominence in these rankings reflects our commitment to offering world-class academic programs and research experiences, some of them the first of their kind regionally and nationally,” said Janet Woodruff-Borden, Ph.D., senior vice president for Academic Affairs and provost.

UAB’s success in this category is part of a broader trend of excellence for the university. Several other graduate programs at the Birmingham-based institution, including nursing and public health, also received high marks in the recent national rankings, according to a University press release. The university is the largest employer in the state of Alabama, making the institution a primary driver of the regional economy.

The 2026 rankings also highlighted several other Alabama-based institutions for their performance in various graduate disciplines. However, UAB’s top-ranked health administration degree remains one of the few programs in the state to hold the undisputed No. 1 position in its field nationally.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 10, 2026

Scarred Legacy of Hip-Hop Pioneer Afrika Bambaataa Sparks Mixed Reactions To His Death At 67

Afrika Bambaataa's decades of sexual abuse allegations are resurfacing amid news of his death at age 67 from cancer.

The news of the death of the pioneering rapper and DJ Afrika Bambaataa, who helped shape hip-hop, at age 67, is receiving mixed reactions.

News of Afrika Bambaataa’s death, on April 9 in Pennsylvania, from cancer complications, spread across social media, with many outlets highlighting the Universal Zulu Nation founder’s lasting impact on the 50-plus-year-old art form. But with allegations of sexual abuse toward young boys throughout the 1980s and ’90s, his death has sparked strong reactions on social media over his troubled legacy.

“Afrika Bambaataa, a hip-hop pioneer who was accused of sexual abuse, has died, TMZ reports. He was 67,” a tweet from journalist Philip Lewis read.

Afrika Bambaataa, a hip-hop pioneer who was accused of sexual abuse, has died, TMZ reports. He was 67 https://t.co/DRaegu5HVw
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) April 9, 2026

Lewis even included a statement from the Hip Hop Alliance, which celebrated his contributions to hip-hop while acknowledging how “complex” Bambaataa’s legacy was, without explaining why.

“Through his music, leadership, and influence, he contributed to the foundation of Hip Hop’s core principles, inspiring generations of MCs, DJs, breakers, and cultural leaders. His imprint on Hip Hop history is undeniable and will forever remain part of the culture’s origin story,” read the statement from the Hip Hop Alliance Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Kurtis Blow Walker.

“At the same time, we recognize that his legacy is complex and has been the subject of serious conversations within our community. As an organization committed to truth, accountability, and the preservation of Hip Hop culture, we believe it is important to hold space for all voices while continuing to uplift what empowers and protects the people.”

Lewis’ remarks drew strong reactions from users on X (formerly Twitter), many of whom criticized Bambaataa over decades-old allegations of sexual abuse involving young boys.

“12 people accused this man while he was alive,” one X user wrote over an AI image that placed Jeffrey Epstein’s face over Bambaataa’s body.

“Hopefully some of them can heal now, especially Hassan,” added someone else, referencing Hassan Campbell, a former member of the Universal Zulu Nation and a prominent YouTuber, who has accused Bambaataa of sexually abusing him for years when he was a child.

Others said they were unaware of Bambaataa’s sexual abuse allegations until seeing the backlash to news of his death, with one person writing they learned of the claims “through these comments.”

Born Lance Taylor in 1957, Afrika Bambaataa rose to prominence in New York’s early hip-hop scene, hosting block parties in the South Bronx and co-founding the Universal Zulu Nation in 1973. His 1982 hit “Planet Rock” reached No. 48 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became credited as one of the earliest hits in hip-hop. He later joined artists like Bruce Springsteen, Miles Davis, Bono, and Run-D.M.C. on the 1985 anti-apartheid song “Sun City.”

In 2016, Ronald Savage accused Bambaataa of molesting him as a teen, prompting additional allegations from other men who said they were abused in their youth. He was later removed from leadership of the Universal Zulu Nation. In 2025, a judge ruled against him in a lawsuit filed by an anonymous accuser, issuing a default judgment after he failed to respond.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 10, 2026

Floyd Mayweather Hit With $7.3 Million Tax Lien

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been hit with a $7.3 million tax lien, adding to reports of mounting financial troubles.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been targeted by the Internal Revenue Service, with the undefeated boxing champion recently being hit with a $7.3 million tax lien.

On April 9, reports surfaced that the IRS filed a $7.3 million lien against the famed boxer and entrepreneur for unpaid taxes in 2018 and 2023, according to Business Insider. The lien, filed last month in Las Vegas, shows the balance as unpaid as of March 2026.

While Floyd Mayweather Jr. has not publicly responded to the lien, it adds to reports of mounting financial troubles, including foreclosures on two commercial properties and the risk of losing a Las Vegas building that houses his strip club due to unpaid taxes. He has also faced lawsuits alleging unpaid bills for luxury items like watches and jewelry. He has sold assets, including his private jet “Air Mayweather” and mansions in Beverly Hills and Miami, to real estate partners.

Mayweather Jr. appears to be working to recoup losses and generate new income through high-profile exhibition bouts. In February, he sued Showtime for $340 million over alleged “misappropriated funds” tied to a 2013 pay-per-view deal, claims the network denies. All the while, the retired champ, who left pro boxing in 2017, is slated for an exhibition against Mike Tyson in April and a pro fight with longtime rival Manny Pacquiao in September at The Sphere in Las Vegas.

Last month, Mayweather Jr. confirmed an upcoming fight with kickboxing legend Mike Zambidis in Athens, Greece, one of several events on his packed 2026 schedule.

“2026 is already shaping up to be an exciting year for me,” Mayweather wrote on Instagram. “Europe, I’m on the way to entertain!! Athens, Greece… Get ready for an all-out exhibition. This summer will be a legendary battle. June is the month when history will be made at the Telekom Center. Different energy. Different level.”

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A post shared by Floyd Mayweather (@floydmayweather)

Logan Paul recently accused Mayweather Jr. of owing him a significant sum from their 2021 fight, adding to speculation about Mayweather’s finances. Paul claims the dispute stems from a side deal Mayweather arranged before the bout secured a U.S. promoter, alleging he used their combined star power to land an eight-figure payment from an international partner.

Paul claims his contract guaranteed him 15%—about $1.5 million—of a $10 million deal he still hasn’t received, and he’s not confident he’ll be paid amid Mayweather’s ongoing legal battles.

Obama-Appointed Judge, Trump Administration , Medicaid Data, Undocumented Immigrants, ICE

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 10, 2026

Lawmakers Say Black And Brown Citizens Are At Risk As ICE Acknowledges Use Of Spyware

ICE's acting director, Todd Lyons, sent a letter shortly before the Easter holiday confirming the group uses a number of tools to disrupt and dismantle foreign terrorist organizations, but Lee says it's being used for other purposes.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has admitted to using spyware tools that have the power to intercept encrypted messages to target fentanyl traffickers, but Rep. Summer Lee is highlighting how Black and Brown citizens will be the ones at risk.

In a statement from the Democratic lawmaker from Pennsylvania, she called the ICE agency out for avoiding the privacy concerns handed down by members of Congress before greenlighting what she labeled as “the invasive spyware technology inside the United States.” Lee pinpointed who she feels are the real victims of such spyware as Graphite, owned by the Israeli company Paragon Solutions — Black and brown people. “The people most at risk, including immigrants, Black and brown communities, journalists, organizers, and anyone speaking out against government abuse, deserve more than secrecy and deflection from an agency with a long record of overreach and abuse,” she wrote in a press release posted to her website.

According to NPR, the agency’s acting director, Todd Lyons, sent a letter shortly before the Easter holiday confirming the group uses a number of tools to disrupt and dismantle foreign terrorist organizations, “particularly those involved in the trafficking of fentanyl.”

Lyons approved the Graphite contract for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to use what is known as “zero click” technology to access encrypted messages on a targeted device, even if the user never clicks a link.

It was Graphite that was called out in early 2025 for targeting 90 journalists and members of civil society in a number of countries. Researchers at The Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy later revealed specific journalists and humanitarian aid providers in Italy had devices infected with the spyware in WhatsApp messages.

Such instances prompted Lee to call for moments of transparency. “Constitutional rights do not disappear because this administration wants more surveillance power, and fear tactics cannot be used as a way to sidestep accountability, privacy, and due process,” she continued.

“I will keep demanding transparency and fighting to protect the civil liberties of everyone in this country because no government gets to cast aside our rights when they become inconvenient, and I will not stand by while this administration treats the Constitution as a mere suggestion.”

Subject matter experts like Maria Villegas Bravo, a lawyer with the nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center, said the U.S. has failed to put regulations in place that can “stop the U.S. government from abusing Constitutional and human rights in the process of using this technology.”

An unidentified DHS official defended the usage, saying that as a law enforcement agency, such tools have to be in place. “DHS is a law enforcement agency. ICE is no different,” the official said.

“Employing various forms of technology in support of investigations and law enforcement activities aids in the arrest of criminal gang members, child sex offenders, murderers, drug dealers, identity thieves, and more, all while respecting civil liberties and privacy interests.”

Villegas Bravo touched on Graphite placing the nation in a position to heighten the market for technologies exploited by foreign governments to undermine messaging applications’ privacy and conduct invasive phone surveillance. “This is a grave national security risk because it weakens American critical infrastructure, including our telecommunications networks,” Villegas Bravo said.

Louisiana, courthouse, New Orleans, Clifton Davis

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 10, 2026

Louisiana’s GOP-Led Legislature Racing to Eliminate Job Of Exonerated Man Voted Into Government Seat

Louisiana’s Republican-led Senate voted to eliminate a position set for an exonerated man elected to office last November.

Louisiana’s GOP-led legislature is trying to eliminate a position that was set to be filled by a recently elected exonerated man.

Calvin Duncan, who spent nearly 30 years in prison before being exonerated, won 68% of the vote in New Orleans last November to become Orleans Parish clerk of criminal court. He pledged reforms shaped by his experience seeking court records while incarcerated, AP News reports.

While New Orleans is a Democratic-leaning city with a predominantly Black electorate, it sits within a state legislature that is largely Republican and white. Duncan, 62, rebuilt his life, in part by running for and winning the clerk’s office. But Gov. Jeff Landry and Louisiana’s GOP-controlled legislature are moving to eliminate the position before he gets sworn in on May 4.

Louisiana’s full Senate voted 25–11 to approve Senate Bill 256, a measure to merge the Orleans Parish civil and criminal clerk offices into one, effectively eliminating the position set for Duncan. Republicans say the move is about government efficiency and isn’t personal. But Duncan argues it’s retaliation by Louisiana officials who long denied his innocence, despite his inclusion in the National Registry of Exonerations.

“The citizens of New Orleans overwhelmingly said: ‘I want to give this person a chance, he can make a difference,’” Duncan told lawmakers during a March committee hearing. “What this bill does is say: ‘Thank you, but you wasted your time.’ It disenfranchises everybody.”

Senate Bill 256 is part of a broader push by Sen. Jay Morris to overhaul New Orleans courts, including cutting judgeships and eliminating the clerk role set for Duncan. Morris said the bill would align Orleans Parish with the rest of the state by merging the civil and criminal clerk offices for efficiency and acknowledged that the timing coincides with Duncan’s upcoming term.

Duncan argues the merger is misguided since the two offices handle distinct records and responsibilities.

“The civil district court clerk doesn’t have a clue, doesn’t have a clue on how the records are supposed to be preserved, and how to preserve evidence,” Duncan said. “She has no clue how that works. Victims of crime will be affected by this.”

Duncan helped drive a 2020 U.S. Supreme Court decision ending nonunanimous jury convictions and founded a nonprofit to expand incarcerated people’s access to the courts. He has called his election clerk the culmination of his life’s work.

Senate Bill 256 is expected to pass the GOP-controlled House and be signed by Landry, taking effect immediately.

“I have never seen something so barbaric,” Sen. Royce Duplessis, a Democrat representing New Orleans, said on the Senate floor. “I understand politics, and I know you all are going to vote how you are going to vote. But just know, when we are all done here, history has a record.”

model, stabbing, nyc, ice cream truck, Detroit,

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 10, 2026

Caught on Video: Brooklyn Grandmother Attacked After Dispute Over Dog Waste

Linda Scott, 75, is now at home.

An elderly grandmother was attacked outside her home after she asked a woman to pick up her dogs’ waste in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn.

According to the New York Daily News, Linda Scott, 75, was attacked after making the request to her neighbor on April 7, at around 9 a.m. The assault was captured on surveillance video. Her son, Michael Scott, said that his mother was taken to Interfaith Medical Center, where doctors informed him that she narrowly avoided suffering a heart attack because of the beating.

The video, obtained by the media outlet, showed Linda Scott walking out of her home and speaking on the phone when a woman was seen yelling at her. The grandmother complained about dog poop near her house, and the woman denied that her dog had left it there. After a few words, another woman struck the victim, knocking her to the ground.

Michael Scott and other family members rushed out of the house to help.

PIX 11 spoke to Linda Scott from her hospital bed about the attack. She said she hoped that the woman who assaulted her would be arrested.

The victim said she has called 311 several times to complain about dog waste left on the vacant lot beside her house. She said the owner was given a citation, but the city never told him to put up a fence. She said she poured ammonia into the lot to keep the dogs out, but she did not expect to get attacked when she spoke to the woman with the dogs that day.

“I was trying to cover my head as much as possible because she was kicking,” Scott said. “I was trying to call 911, but I couldn’t. Then my son came out of the house.”

The family said Linda Scott returned home on April 8 and is expected to make a full recovery.