by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 8, 2026

Pastor Karri Bryant Responds To Backlash Over Dress Worn To UNCF Ball

Pastor Karri Bryant is shutting down the backlash she and Pastor Jamal Bryant have faced over the lace gown she wore to the UNCF Ball.

After Pastor Jamal Bryant publicly defended his wife’s UNCF ball dress from the pulpit, Pastor Karri Bryant is looking to move past the backlash surrounding the now-infamous outfit.

The New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Pastor and First Lady appeared on the Jan. 7 episode of the Tamron Hall Show, where they responded to public criticism they both received over the black lace gown with a flesh-colored illusion bodice Karri wore at the 2025 United Negro College Fund Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball on Dec. 20.

After Pastor Jamal Bryant’s fiery New Year’s Eve sermon, where he called out “insecure, jealous, petty, small-minded people” who took issue with the dress, he later told Hall he was “offended” by the backlash, including remarks from a fellow pastor who compared his treatment of his wife to that of a “prostitute,” but chose not to respond in a way that would discourage people from attending church.

“I don’t want them to take that offense to how church is or how the love of God is,” Jamal said.

For Karri, the pastor and author has tuned out the criticism by staying grounded in her purpose and secure in her identity in Christ.

“I hope and pray for women and men that see it is to be so anchored in who you are and who God has called you to be, that when even the noise is loud, you are still anchored in your own identity,” she said.

“If I listen to what I’ve heard many people say or if I read everything that I saw, I would probably be in a corner balled up somewhere, but I am clear about who created me,” she added.

The First Lady also urged people to focus on the more urgent issues facing the nation, emphasizing that her UNCF ball dress pales in comparison to the real challenges confronting the community.

“After you get done scrolling, our parents, many of us are still struggling with social security,” Karri said. “After you get done scrolling, there are still healthcare issues around insurance in this nation. After you get done scrolling, there are still upwards of 500,000 black women who are unemployed in this nation in 2025 going into this year, and so we have so many things that we can put our energy and our focus on, and that’s what I hope that we do.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 8, 2026

50 Cent Action Scales Globally Across Major Streaming Platforms

You can view it on The Roku Channel,LG Channels, Prime Video, Plex, DirecTV, Vizio, and Xumo.

50 Cent introduced his own FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television) channel (50 Cent Action Channel) to the masses in late 2024, and at the recent CES (Consumer Technology Association) trade show, Tony Marlow, chief marketing officer of LG Ad Solutions, discussed the passion the Queens rapper had in becoming involved in another way to get some content to his audience. The channel is now available on multiple streaming platforms.

According to AfroTech, during a session that took place at CES 2026, “A Media Realignment: Streaming, The Creator Economy & Podcasts,” Marlow took the stage to speak to the attendees about another means for the “Many Men” rapper to extend his audience reach by agreeing to launch the 50 Cent Action channel.

“This channel is something he feels very passionately about … He and his team were very engaged in saying, ‘We would love to come to a new front, discuss this on stage, let the advertisers know that this is a thing that they can get involved in as we also educate the consumers that there’s this new content available,’” Marlow said to the crowd.

50 initially debuted 50 Cent Action Dec. 10, 2024, as a FAST channel on the Roku Channel. The programs shown on it are curated by 50 himself. The channel is being done through a partnership with Lionsgate, which has been mutually beneficial for both parties. Last April, it was revealed that the 50 Cent Action channel was the top action channel on The Roku Channel and LG Channels. It’s also available on Prime Video, Plex, DirecTV, Vizio, and Xumo.

In June, the channel launched on Prime Video in the United Kingdom. Then, on his 50th birthday, July 6, the channel debuted on Pluto TV.

50 Cent Action is also available on Philo and other streaming platforms.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 8, 2026

Three Men Arrested In $200,000 Burglary Of Cleveland Browns QB Shedeur Sanders’ Residence

Another suspect is being sought

On Sunday, Nov. 16, the day that Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders made his regular-season NFL debut, thieves made their way into the rookie’s home while he was on the football field. The men allegedly involved have been arrested.

According to The Associated Press, three people have been arrested in connection with the incident at Sanders’ home. The Medina County Sheriff’s Office stated that an arrest warrant has been issued for a fourth suspect in the robbery.

Police authorities said that about $200,000 in property was stolen from the home. The suspects entered the home at 6:46 p.m., and in-house cameras captured the men breaking in. They all entered different parts of the house while wearing masks and gloves. They were seen leaving right before 7 p.m.

The Medina County Sheriff’s Office has completed its investigation into the burglary at the home of Browns QB Shedeur Sanders and has arrested three out of four suspects. pic.twitter.com/TvtSxoZlze
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) January 7, 2026

During the season, there was a rash of break-ins at several NFL players’ homes on game days. Before Sanders’ home was burglarized, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce, and New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan had been victims. The most recent football player whose home was robbed was Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons. His place was reportedly burglarized in December while the Titans were on the road playing in San Francisco.

The offseason should be an interesting one for Sanders. The Brown’s head coach, Kevin Stefanski, was let go at the end of the season, and although he ended the year as the starting quarterback, nothing is set in stone for next season. There are too many variables, including who will be the head coach next season and their thoughts on keeping him as the starter.

The last regular starting quarterback, who did not play this season due to an injury, Deshaun Watson, is expected to be in playing form, setting up a possible quarterback competition. Also, Dillon Gabriel, who was the starter before suffering a concussion that paved the way for Sanders to be the starter, is still on the team.

Mary J. Blige, Community College, Strength Of A Woman Fund

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 8, 2026

Mary J. Blige Wins Dismissal In Lawsuit Filed By Ex-BFF Misa Hylton

Mary J. Blige won the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by her longtime friend and stylist Misa Hylton, with the case thrown out without prejudice.

Mary J. Blige scored a legal victory after a judge dismissed the lawsuit filed by her former friend and stylist, Misa Hylton, without prejudice.

In a Jan. 6 ruling, a New York judge dismissed the case in response to Hylton missing the deadline to defend her claims that Blige tried to steal rapper Vado from her management roster, Rolling Stone reports. Because the suit was dismissed without prejudice, Hylton still has the option to pursue sanctions against the Grammy winner.

When making her ruling, Judge Phaedra F. Perry-Bond sharply warned Hylton that her failure to respond to Blige’s motion to dismiss “constitutes the abandonment” of her claims. Perry-Bond stopped short of imposing sanctions on Hylton but expressed her frustration with the stylist’s inaction.

“The court in no way condones parties filing lawsuits claiming millions in damages based on inflammatory accusations, only to have those very same parties abandon their allegations when faced with a motion to dismiss and sanctions,” the judge wrote. “Plaintiffs and their counsel shall consider this a warning to refrain from engaging in similar patterns of behavior in the future. This written warning may serve as weighty evidence on a future application for sanctions if plaintiffs and/or their counsel continue to engage in similar bad faith litigation tactics.”

The lawsuit, filed by Hylton in April 2025, accused Blige of interfering with her record label dealings involving her top client, rapper Vado, shocking many in the industry. The pair’s friendship dates back to the early ’90s, when Hylton—then dating Sean “Diddy” Combs—began styling Blige during the promotion of her 1992 debut album What’s the 411? and continued to work with her throughout her career.

In recent years, the relationship soured, with Hylton accusing her longtime friend and client of trying to ‘coerce’ Harlem rapper Vado—whom Hylton managed—into ending his management deal. She claimed Blige wanted to move Vado to her own company, Beautiful Life Productions, where he also held a recording contract.

Blige moved to dismiss the “frivolous” lawsuit, with her lawyers arguing Hylton’s company, M.I.S.A. Management, wasn’t a valid corporation since Hylton lacked a talent agent license. They added that the suit was filed with the “sole purpose of harassing and causing malicious injury to [Blige] based on Hylton’s personal animus towards Ms. Blige.”

There’s no word yet on the parties’ response to the dismissed suit, but Hylton now has her hands full as her son Justin Combs prepares to release a docuseries with his brother Christian, exploring how their family is navigating media scrutiny amid their father’s federal prostitution incarceration.

by Kandiss Edwards

January 8, 2026

Mattie’s Call Issued For Dekalb County Elder Who Went Missing On Her Way To Church

Ernestine Merrit was observed leaving home via a Ring camera shortly after 4 a.m.

The DeKalb Police and community members are searching for Ernestine “Erni” Merritt, a 79-year-old DeKalb County woman with dementia who disappeared early Sunday after leaving her home believing she was on her way to church.

Merritt was last seen leaving her residence on Yolanda Trail at about 4:22 a.m. on Jan. 4, according to the DeKalb County Police Department. DeKalb police swiftly issued a Mattie’s Call for her disappearance. Police said a doorbell camera captured Merritt leaving the home, and she has not been seen since.

Merritt is described as 4 feet 11 inches tall, weighing about 120 pounds. Police said when she left home, she wore a black mink coat, a red skirt, and black shoes. Officers said Merritt has dementia, which may affect her ability to recognize familiar surroundings or seek help. She has been missing for more than three days.

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A post shared by CrimeWatchAtlanta (@crimewatchatlanta)

Family members told Channel 2 Action News that Merritt believed she was going to church when she left the house. Her cousin, James Robinson, said Merritt left at an unusually early hour, which raised immediate concern.

“She thought she was going to church,” Robinson said.

Members of Greenforest Community Baptist Church, where Merritt regularly worships, have joined police and family members in the search. Volunteers have canvassed nearby neighborhoods and wooded areas, knocking on doors and checking areas where Merritt might have sought shelter.

“We might be old, and we might be walking with canes and sticks, but we gonna keep on waking till we find her,” a volunteer identified as Coffield told Channel 2.

Church leaders urged residents in surrounding communities to check sheds, garages, backyards, and crawl spaces, saying Merritt may have become disoriented and stopped somewhere close to home. Volunteers said they are coordinating their efforts with police to avoid duplicating search areas.

A Mattie’s Call is a statewide alert system in Georgia that helps locate missing adults who are elderly or have cognitive impairments, such as dementia. Police said the alert allows agencies to share information with the public and quickly mobilize search resources.

DeKalb County Police said search efforts remain active and that officers are working with Georgia Emergency Search and Rescue and community volunteers. Authorities have not released additional details about possible sightings.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 8, 2026

Westchester Church To Ordain DMX As A Minister Posthumously

The ordination will take placeJan. 10, at Foster Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in Tarrytown, N.Y.

Yonkers-raised recording artist DMX, who, outside of his recognizable gruff voice, was known for his spiritual awareness, despite the struggles he encountered, will be ordained as a minister posthumously in Tarrytown, New York.

According to AllHipHop, the man born Earl Simmons will officially become a minister Saturday, Jan. 10, at Foster Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church. The “Where My Dogs At?” lyricist died April 9, 2021, after not recovering from a heart attack he suffered a week earlier (the heart attack was allegedly due to a drug overdose). Before passing, the emcee was reportedly in a “vegetative state.”

DMX usually opened and closed his performances with a prayer and did songs that incorporated his spiritual thoughts.

The Gospel Cultural Center will formally recognize Simmons during the 3 p.m. service inside the church, which was once a stop on the Underground Railroad. The church has existed since 1860 and is among the earliest African Methodist Episcopal Zion congregations in Westchester County.

“Earl Simmons wrestled with God in the public square, turning his pain into a ministry of raw truth,” said Bishop Dr. Osiris Imhotep, founder of the Gospel Cultural Center. “This ordination recognizes the divine calling he fulfilled every time he spoke a prayer into a microphone.”

DMX never hid the struggles he experienced and reportedly had an extensive battle with drug addiction, which purportedly continued until his death. His drug use began at 14 when a supposed mentor introduced him to crack cocaine.

“He passed the blunt around and… I hit the blunt,” DMX recalled in an interview with Complex. “I never felt like this before it f*8ked me up. I later found out that he laced the blunt with crack… Why would you do that to a child? He was like 30, and he knew I looked up to him. Why would you do that to someone who looks up to you?”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 8, 2026

Judge Denies LaMonica McIver’s Motion To Dismiss Assault Charges From Altercation With ICE

The ruling came nearly two months after he denied a broader round of motions arguing her actions outside the Delaney Hall detention facility were protected.

A federal judge has once again refused to dismiss Rep. LaMonica McIver’s (D-N.J.) federal assault charge, marking the third denial in the case tied to an alleged altercation with an ICE officer outside a detention facility.

On Jan. 5, U.S. District Judge Jamel Semper rejected McIver’s bid to have the assault charge dismissed on grounds of legislative immunity, the New Jersey Globe reports. The ruling came nearly two months after he denied a broader round of motions arguing her actions outside the Delaney Hall detention facility were protected.

In November, Semper left only one question unresolved — whether McIver’s alleged contact with an ICE officer qualified as protected legislative conduct. After reviewing additional body-camera footage and new briefs, Semper says the video shows McIver initiating the encounter, contradicting her claim that the officer blocked her entrance to the facility.

“While Defendant argues that it was ‘V-2 [an ICE deportation officer] who initiated contact with Congresswoman McIver as she reached the facility’s entrance, driving his shoulder into the Congresswoman’s chest to block her progress’ … video footage shows that V-2 was not facing Defendant or purposely impeding her when the physical contact occurred,” Semper wrote.

McIver has pleaded not guilty to the assault charge connected to her oversight visit to the facility with two other lawmakers last May. She argued she was protected by the Constitution’s Speech and Debate Clause, which shields lawmakers from liability for conduct related to official legislative acts. But Judge Semper ruled that her actions weren’t tied to legislation or policymaking, and therefore weren’t covered by immunity.

“The physical contact she engaged in outside the facility lacked a legislative prerogative,” he wrote.

McIver responded to the ruling with disappointment in a statement that called out the Trump administration and declared that meaningful oversight of an ICE detention facility like Delaney Hall “can’t be done from behind a desk.”

“It is my responsibility to visit it, inspect it, and hold those running it accountable for any abuses,” she said. “I’m disappointed by today’s ruling and remain very concerned about the Trump administration’s efforts to criminalize legislative oversight and operate in the shadows.”

Riaz Capital, Danielle Allen, Racist, fired

by Kandiss Edwards

January 8, 2026

Texas Teacher’s Union Sues State’s Education Agency To Protect Charlie Kirk Detractors

Texas educators targeted by the Texas Education Agency sue to defend their First Amendment Rights.

On Jan. 6, the Texas American Federation of Teachers (Texas AFT) filed a federal lawsuit against the Texas Education Agency and its commissioner, saying the state improperly investigated public school educators over their social media comments following the assassination of conservative content creator Charlie Kirk.

Texas AFT asked a federal judge in Austin to block the agency and Commissioner Mike Morath from continuing investigations into educators. According to the union, the investigation violates teachers’ First Amendment rights. The lawsuit centers on a directive Morath issued to local school superintendents urging them to document and report what he described as “vile content” about Kirk.

The union said the directive triggered a “wave of retaliation and disciplinary actions” by school districts, opening formal investigations into more than 350 educators’ social media posts. According to reports, the action also contributed to at least one firing and other disciplinary measures.

Zeph Capo, president of Texas AFT, said the state’s actions have created a climate of fear.

“These teachers were disciplined solely for their speech, without any regard to whether the posts disrupted school operations in any way,” the lawsuit states.

The legal challenge also seeks an order requiring Morath to retract the policies and rule them unconstitutional.

At the time of Kirk’s death, K-12 educators were not the only ones to face backlash due to personal opinions. Some institutions are paying dearly for their choices. Austin Peay State University agreed to pay $500,000 and reinstate a tenured professor who was fired over a social media post made after Kirk’s assassination, according to the Tennessee Bar Association.

Darren Michael, an associate professor of theater, was terminated by APSU in September 2025 after sharing an article quoting Kirk’s remarks on gun violence. University officials later acknowledged they had not followed tenure termination procedures.

Under the terms of the settlement reached in January 2026, APSU will pay Michael $500,000 and reimburse counseling costs. Additionally, Austin Peay State University agreed to issue a statement expressing regret for not following its own policies in his firing. The rash decisions of educational institutions after Kirk’s shooting may come with a heavy price tag. Though Texas AFT is not searching for monetary compensation for its troubles, other unions may follow in its footsteps and request it themselves.

by Kandiss Edwards

January 8, 2026

City Of Decatur Appoints First Black Man Mayor

Powers is a longtime commissioner who has served on the city’s five-member governing body since 2015.

The City of Decatur commission leaders selected Tony Powers as mayor for 2026. He will be the city’s first Black male mayor.

The Decatur City Commission voted on the decision on Jan. 5. Powers is a longtime commissioner who has served on the city’s five-member governing body since 2015. He received the mayor’s gavel at a City Hall meeting attended by residents and city staff.

Commissioners also chose Lesa Fronk to serve as mayor pro tem, creating the first leadership team in Decatur with both a Black mayor and a Black mayor pro tem and majority Black City Commission, Atlanta News First reported. Speaking with reporters, Powers said that this selection was significant for the community.

“It is something that is truly monumental, and I am encouraged that you know we’re not just here to make history but here to make sure that we continue to do what’s right by our city,” he said.

The City Commission’s selection process differs from typical municipal elections in much of Georgia. Currently, residents elect commissioners, who then choose among themselves a mayor and mayor pro tem each year according to the city’s official website.

At the same time, city officials recently approved a change to the city charter that would allow Decatur voters to elect the mayor directly beginning in November 2027, replacing the current system of selection by commissioners, the WSB-TV report said.

Former Mayor Patti Garrett did not seek reelection this cycle. Though Garrett served a decade in the role, she voiced support for the charter revision. Garrett believes a four-year term chosen by voters could provide “more continuity of leadership.”

With the new leadership in place, Powers said his priorities include addressing affordability and helping residents experiencing homelessness in the metropolitan city.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 8, 2026

Wegmans Grocery Store Chain Admits To Collecting Customer Biometric Data

Wegmans is facing criticism after acknowledging that it collects customers’ biometric data at select locations across its chain of stores.

Grocery chain Wegmans is facing backlash after posting signs informing customers that their biometric data is being collected upon entry.

The popular grocery chain, with over 100 stores across nine states, confirmed it collects biometric data after a photo of a sign at a New York City location went viral, Fox News reports. The sign informed customers that “biometric identifier information” is being collected at that store.

“Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. collects, retains, converts, stores, or shares customers’ biometric identifier information, which may include: facial recognition, eye scans, and voiceprints,” the sign states.

🚨BIOMETRICS GRAB🚨

Wegmans supermarkets in New York City are now posting signs to notify shoppers that the chain collects biometric data, including facial recognition information, during visits to their stores.

Wegmans responded to my request for comment by saying, "The system… pic.twitter.com/Swulh3q0hh
— Breanna Morello (@BreannaMorello) January 6, 2026

Wegmans stated that the biometric collection underscores how “the safety of our customers and employees is a top priority.”

“Like many retailers, we use cameras to help identify individuals who pose a risk to our people, customers, or operation. In a small fraction of our stores that exhibit an elevated risk, we have deployed cameras equipped with facial recognition technology,” the company said.

Wegmans says its facial recognition tool is used at only a few locations to identify individuals previously flagged for misconduct, and in New York City, the technology meets local regulations.

“Persons of interest are determined by our asset protection team based on incidents occurring on our property and on a case-by-case basis, by information from law enforcement for criminal or missing persons cases,” Wegmans said.

It also notes that data is not shared with any third parties.

“Facial recognition technology serves as one investigative lead for us. We never base our decisions on a single lead alone,” the statement concluded. “Our goal is simple — to keep our stores safe and secure.”

Facial recognition technology is highly visible in airports, but at some supermarkets, including Walmart and now Wegmans, the cameras are largely hidden from view, raising concerns about how customer data is being used.

“It’s kind of invading privacy. I could see that. It’s good and bad,” shopper Victor Cash said. “It could be like a little nuisance, but at the end of the day, I don’t think it’ll ever stop me from coming here.”

“You never know for what purpose the information is being collected,” Ivan Klimkou said. “I mean, I’m not shoplifting, so it’s no concern for me.”

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