On Dec. 1, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced that the new fee will take effect Feb. 1, 2026, The Travel reports. Critics say the increase will disproportionately impact families, especially those who travel infrequently.
The TSA’s Confirm.ID option only covers a 10-day travel window, meaning families may need to pay $45 per adult more than once on longer trips—while frequent flyers are more likely to get their money’s worth within that period.
For instance, a family of four without REAL IDs or passports taking a two-week U.S. vacation would pay $45 per adult to clear security—$180 each way. Because their return falls outside the 10-day window, the total jumps to $360, and even more for larger families.
Families with younger children may feel less of the strain, since travelers under 18 don’t need to present ID for domestic flights when accompanied by an adult with valid identification. However, international trips still require passports for minors, and households with multiple adults over 18 will face the steepest added costs.
“I think the fines are too high, and rules around the fines are too strict,” a former TSA agent said.
However, the ex-employee said similar fees were proposed several times in the past, but this is the first time the agency is actually imposing penalties for non-compliance, a step many travelers never expected TSA to fully enforce.
“Passengers don’t listen; a lot of them think the TSA is a joke. The fines are a way to enforce the rules for the REAL ID,” the former TSA officer said.
On Dec. 1, university leaders informed staff at the women’s magazine Alice and Nineteen Fifty-Six, which focuses on Black culture and student life, that shifting federal rules on D.E.I. mean the school can no longer support the publications, the New York Times reports.
Officials cited a July memo from Attorney General Pam Bondi outlining how federally-funded institutions should steer clear of what the Trump administration considers unlawful DEI practices.
At a meeting to announce the suspensions, Steven Hood, the university’s vice president of student life, told students that their magazines had violated anti-DEI standards. Hood specifically referenced sections of Bondi’s memo cautioning against “unlawful proxies,” defined as “ostensibly neutral criteria that function as substitutes for explicit consideration of race, sex, or other protected characteristics.”
“You can understand why, under federal guidance, as a public institution, we might not be able to support magazines that are based on demographics like these two,” Hood said. (A recording of the meeting was shared with the New York Times.)
One magazine team member pointed out that their publications welcomed students of all backgrounds, not just their target audiences. Hood, however, said that wasn’t enough to satisfy federal guidelines.
Alex House, a university spokeswoman, said on Tuesday, Dec. 2, that the suspensions were carried out in compliance with the law.
“This requires us to ensure all members of our community feel welcome to participate in programs that receive university funding from the Office of Student Media,” House said, adding that the university “will never restrict our students’ freedom of expression.”
After the suspensions, Kendal Wright, editor-in-chief of Nineteen Fifty-Six, said she was “devastated but, regrettably, not surprised” by the university’s decision, citing “the current climate of our country.”
Gabrielle Gunter, editor-in-chief of Alice, criticized the move. “I was under the impression that we were protected from being affected by any anti-DEI legislation and rulings because of our First Amendment right to freedom of the press, but it appears I was wrong,” Gunter said in a statement, according to Insight on Academia.
Hood said the university plans to launch a new campus lifestyle magazine aimed at all students and invited the editors of the suspended publications to help create it.
New Jersey Law Student Who Faked Attack Over MAGA Beliefs Charged For Conspiracy
Greene was charged with conspiracy after an investigation revealed her story to be a hoax.
A New Jersey law student who claimed she was attacked for her MAGA beliefs is facing charges.
Natalie Greene once worked on the Hill for Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew. However, she made headlines in July when she claimed she was attacked for her conservative values. According to Blavity, she fabricated a story about three men threatening her and a co-conspirator at a New Jersey nature preserve.
The alleged co-conspirator initially called 911 to report the fake attack. She told authorities that the men were “talking about politics and stuff.” She also falsely asserted that “they were like calling her names,” referring to Greene.
When police arrived, they found Greene with zip ties on her hands and marks all over her body. She told police that the men threatened to kill her with a gun. The 26-year-old even went so far as having “TRUMP Whore” scribbled on herself with other writing that Van Drew “is racist.”
Later, new insight revealed that the entire ordeal was Greene’s plan. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey released a statement confirming Greene had conjured up the scheme.
“The investigation revealed that Greene had not, in fact, been attacked by three men at gunpoint on July 23. Instead, Greene had paid a body modification and scarification artist to deliberately cut the lacerations on her face, neck, upper chest, and shoulder, based on a pattern that she had provided beforehand,” the U.S. attorney’s office said in the statement obtained byABC News.
The investigation into her phone also saw her contact with the scarification artist. The artist gave authorities the $500 receipt of her payment for the marks. Police also allegedly found similar zip ties in Greene’s car.
She has since been arrested and charged with conspiracy to convey false statements and hoaxes, as well as making false statements to federal law enforcement. If found guilty, Greene could face up to ten years in prison.
Her former employer released a brief statement on the ordeal, stating that he hopes she’s “getting the care she needs.” Her lawyer, however, has maintained her innocence as Greene anticipates a trial over the matter.
“At the age of 26, my client served her community working full-time to assist the constituents of the Congressman with loyalty and fidelity. She did that while being a full-time student. Under the law, she is presumed innocent and reserves all of her defenses for presentation in a court of law,” expressed her lawyer, Louis Barbone.
A motive for why she faked the attack remains unknown. However, critics have called her actions harmful, especially in an already-tense political environment.
Family Of Brain-Dead Georgia Woman Seeks Support To Meet GoFundMe Goal For Baby’s Medical Costs
The Smith family set their donation goal as $600K and has yet to meet it.
The family of Adriana Smith, the Georgia woman who served as what some call a “human incubator” while on life support, is seeking financial assistance to pay for medical fees and other expenses.
In Feb. 2025, Smith, who was 8 weeks pregnant, experienced a medical emergency that left her brain dead. The mom of one was put on life support, and due to abortion laws, her family was refused the right to stop it. After the fetus was held in utero for weeks, he was delivered via C-section on June 13. Smith’s family is now asking for help with medical fees as the infant, named Chance, is reportedly still being cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) 6 months after delivery.
The Smith family set their donation goal as $600K and has yet to meet it.
While many details have not come to light about the condition of baby Smith, social media users have hinted that his condition is less than ideal.
X User @mara_marinara is raising awareness of the financial burdens placed on the Smith family as a result of the state of Georgia’s decision.
“Remember the dead woman that was forced to carry her baby? Well, surprise, the baby is in terrible health. The baby has been in the NICU for 6 months. The state of Georgia is not helping pay for the medical expenses for that baby, even though forced a dead woman to carry it…”
Remember the dead woman that was forced to carry her baby? Well surprise, the baby is in terrible health. The baby has been in the NICU for 6 months. The state of Georgia is not helping pay for the medical expenses for that baby even though forced a dead woman to carry it…
In response, another X user, @Smoke_nd_pearlz, gave an update on baby Smith’s condition. It is unclear where the information was acquired, though if true, it paints a harrowing picture.
“Yup. He’s up to 11 pounds. They have to transfer him to another hospital because the current hospital he’s at cannot meet his complex needs. The family is 100% responsible for the cost, even though the state forced them to keep that poor woman “alive” as a human incubator.”
April Newkirk, Adriana’s mother, has said little in recent months about Chance. However, at the time of the C-section, she confirmed the infant weighed 13 ounces. To donate to the Smith/Newkirk family, visit GoFundMe. The family is only about $ 50,000 away from their original goal.
Federal Appeals Court Brings Back Georgia’s Ban On Food, Drinks In Voting Lines
The law came with a misdemeanor penalty of up to a year in jail for giving out food and drink in the restricted zones in addition to major backlash that resulted in the Major League Baseball moving its 2021 All-Star Game out of Atlanta.
A federal appeals court has sidestepped a federal judge’s ruling to bring back a Georgia state law that bans giving people food and water in voting lines, 11 Alive reports.
The Election Integrity Act, also known as Senate Bill 202, came about following outcry over President Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 presidential election, resulting in the installation of a 25-foot zone around anyone standing in a voting line, where food and water were banned.
More than two years after Atlanta-based federal district Judge J.P. Boulee upheld a portion of the ban, permitting food and water to voters, a Dec. 1 ruling from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals claims Boulee failed to analyze the case properly. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger supported the court’s ruling and took a jab at former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, saying in a statement that the state has a right to shield voters from being influenced.
“The Eleventh Circuit’s ruling reinforces a simple truth: Georgia has the right and the responsibility to shield voters from influence and interference at the polls,” Raffensperger said. “Despite what Stacey Abrams and her cronies say, our laws safeguard every Georgian’s right to free, fair, and fast elections.”
The appeals court ruling pushes Boulee’s ruling, which did not conduct a facial analysis of the First Amendment issues highlighted and instead sought to challenge the ban, citing that it came from alleged liberal and progressive advocacy groups. The lack of facial analysis renders the law unconstitutional, as the Supreme Court ruled in Moody v. NetChoice, LLC. “The district court didn’t conduct the facial-challenge analysis now required by Moody,” the 11th Circuit Court said.
“…the court failed to systematically assess the full sweep of the regulation and weigh the constitutional against the unconstitutional applications. It instead emphasized the plaintiffs’ particular activities and the overarching justifications offered by the government — lumping together a narrow range of applications and considering them as a whole without accounting for the First Amendment’s varying protections across different activities.”
According to CBS News, SB 202 was enacted in 2021. It included a ban and other changes to Georgia’s election laws, such as limitations on absentee ballot drop boxes, new ID requirements for absentee ballots, and changes to early voting. Supporters feel the ban was necessary to prevent voter influence, but critics think giving food and water is a simple form of civic engagement and all-around kindness.
The law carried a misdemeanor penalty of up to a year in jail for giving out food and drink in the restricted zones, in addition to major backlash that led Major League Baseball to move its 2021 All-Star Game out of Atlanta.
The outcry caught the attention of the then Biden-Harris administration Department of Justice (DOJ), resulting in a lawsuit where former President Joe Biden referred to the ban as “Jim Crow in the 21st Century.”
The Trump administration’s DOJ dismissed the lawsuit in March 2025.
Teen Founder Scales Up Platform To Help Brands Connect With User-Generated Content Creators
Elijah Khasabo celebrated his journey from broke teen to successful tech entrepreneur.
A Black college student in Massachusetts is commemorating his platform that helps brands discover and connect with user-generated content creators.
Elijah Khasabo launched Vidovo at just 19. Celebrating the platform’s second anniversary of streamlining content creation, the teen founder reflects on the journey to becoming a successful tech entrepreneur.
The UMass Amherst student shared on LinkedIn about how Vidovo transformed one of his lowest points into a story of triumph and determination.
“I was at one of my LOWEST points. No connections, nothing handed to me, and no reason anyone should’ve taken me seriously,” he wrote. “It didn’t matter that I had nothing. I had the drive, and honestly, that was enough to start.”
Vidovo works by helping brands find and hire UGC creators to create captivating and innovative content for their products. However, Vidovo is not your typical hiring source.
It also simplifies the process of hiring and managing creators while ensuring deliverables. Vidovo not only enables brands to access high-quality content from emerging creators but also helps these social media users gain exposure while building relationships with reputable companies.
He added, “It made sense on paper, brands were sick of paying for content that didn’t work, and creators deserved a platform that actually helped them grow.”
While noting that the “struggle was real” to scale up Vidovo, hard, intentional work paid off, as the “tiny wins” yielded long-term success.
“Bootstrapping has tested everything, patience, confidence, even sanity some days, but it’s made me who I am. I don’t think I’d have the discipline or edge I do now without it. It’s truly forced me to grow up fast,” continued the 22-year-old.
Still working toward his Bachelor’s in marketing, Khasabo plans to scale up operations to help more brands and creators fulfill their own dreams. With Fortune projecting a $1 million milestone in revenue for the Vidovo in 2025, Khasabo is on track to make history as a teen founder.
“Brands are showing up. Creators are thriving. It’s all coming together, and it makes me so damn happy.”
On Dec. 2, a press page for the media commentator linked to a GiveSendGo campaign seeking financial support for “the rise of new media.” The media fund launch came a day after a federal jury ruled that Milagro Cooper, known as Milagro Gramz, defamed and harassed the Grammy-winning rapper.
“In an era where legacy media gatekeepers decide what you see, hear, and think, a new generation of independent creators is breaking through, but independence comes at a cost,” Cooper wrote in the campaign description. “No billionaire backers. No corporate ad dollars with strings attached. Just raw determination… and the support of people who believe information should be free, fearless, and in the hands of those who earn your trust every single day.”
“Every dollar you give goes straight to the front lines of independent media; no middlemen, no agenda, no filter,” she added. “When you back new media, you’re not just consuming content; you’re defending a principle: The right to speak. The right to question. The right to know.”
Cooper’s push for “new media” comes after a federal jury of five men and four women sided with Megan Thee Stallion, born Megan Pete, in her lawsuit accusing Cooper of acting as a “mouthpiece,” “puppet,” and “paid surrogate” for Tory Lanez, who shot Megan in Los Angeles on July 15, 2020, and was later convicted. The jury initially awarded $75,000, which U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga later reduced to $59,000 in a final ruling on Dec. 2.
The financial strain on Cooper comes amid personal challenges she revealed during the trial, including a reported negative bank balance of $10,000 and telling the court, “I have had to prioritize how to feed my kids.” Her legal battle also led to lost income, including the termination of her Stationhead contract, which had paid her over $6,000 per month.
Following the verdict, Cooper took to social media to post a video thanking her fans for their support and sarcastically claiming she plans to release a mixtape since”the only place where you can bully people and talk crazy and pop sh*t is in the studio.”
Blogger Milagro Gramz isn't letting a lawsuit loss against Megan Thee Stallion keep her from speaking out and throwing shade at the rapper.
On Monday (Dec. 1), shortly after news that a jury found Milagro "Gramz" Cooper liable of defamation, promotion of an altered sexual… pic.twitter.com/DUuyoCJT9c
Jurors determined that Cooper deliberately urged her thousands of followers on X and Instagram to watch a sexually explicit deepfake video of Megan circulating online. Megan has stated that she has been struggling with mental health challenges since the Tory Lanez shooting and the subsequent harassment from Cooper.
Instacart Files Lawsuit Against New York City Over Latest Laws Affecting Workers
The company claims that the new laws 'threatens to eliminate earnings opportunities for as many as 40% of Instacart shoppers in New York City.'
As the city of New York prepares to implement new laws for grocery delivery workers, Instacart filed a lawsuit against the city, arguing that the regulations would harm consumers and grocers.
According to Reuters, the company filed a lawsuit Dec. 2 in Manhattan Federal Court, citing several laws that directly affect the San Francisco-based Instacart. The laws will take effect Jan. 26, and the company claims they will harm customers and grocers by raising delivery costs.
They state that Congress prohibits state and local governments from regulating prices and services for customers of platforms like theirs. They also note that the U.S. Constitution prevents states and local governments from discriminating against companies that earn revenue from out-of-state operations.
The lawsuit challenges Local Law 124. This law requires companies to offer grocery delivery workers the same minimum pay as restaurant delivery workers. They also challenge Local Law 107, which requires consumers to be given the option to tip at least 10% of the purchase price or manually enter a tip amount.
In a blog post, Instacart explains why it has taken legal action.
“It threatens to eliminate earnings opportunities for as many as 40% of Instacart shoppers in New York City — equal to the share of restaurant delivery workers who lost access to work when a similar law took effect in 2023, according to the city’s own data. At the same time, the law is expected to increase grocery delivery costs for hardworking NYC families and could dent demand and sales for local grocers in the city.”
In the lawsuit, the company says, “Instacart’s business depends on the flexibility, independence, and convenience that its platform offers. The local laws will degrade that business.”
When the new laws are implemented next year, the company will be forced to change how it does business in the city.
“Instacart will be forced to restructure its platform, restrict shoppers’ access to work, disrupt relationships with consumers and retailers, and suffer constitutional injuries with no adequate legal remedy,” the complaint said.
Stockton’s Famous Vice-Mayor, Jason Lee, Speaks Out Against Recent Mass Shooting
Lee reflected on the past murder of his own brother as he encouraged the suspect to turn himself in.
Stockton’s famous vice-mayor, Jason Lee, is speaking out against a recent tragedy in the California community.
The media personality turned local politician is condemning a mass shooting in the central Californian city. According to CNN, the shooting occurred at a child’s birthday party on Nov. 29, with the fatal incident leaving three children and one adult dead, ages 8, 9, 14, and 21. Eleven others also endured wounds, as the suspect remains at large.
Lee attended a vigil the following day in Stockton, where he denounced the incident that left several kids dead. CBS News Sacramento shared footage of local leaders, including Lee, speaking at the vigil.
“What I will say to the people that did this is: it’s never been gangsta to kill kids. Never,” shared the Hollywood Unlocked founder. “You went to a birthday party and shot people’s children … Parents brought their children out, and they left with medical examiners. That is not human.”
The vice-mayor continued, remarking on his own personal history with gun violence. He shared his thoughts on vengeance following his brother’s murder. However, instead of inflicting even more harm, he chose a more redeeming path.
“And I will say to those who are thinking of retaliation: when my brother got murdered, I thought about it too. It’s human to want to hurt people who hurt people you love. But I had a choice to make,” Lee continued. “I hope that the people out there in our community make the right choice and contact law enforcement.”
He encouraged those involved and anyone with information to come forward, helping the families gain justice for these young stolen lives.
Lee added, “Call me, call the mayor, call whoever you know, call the pastors, call your friend, turn yourself in. Because at some point, the redemption for what you did is going to happen when you see the person who created you. But you can start that process by turning yourself in and doing the right thing today.”
San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office released a statement indicating the incident was likely targeted, though it was unclear whether or not it was gang-related. They remain on the hunt for the killer.
As for Lee, the Stockton native first entered politics in November of last year with a successful run for City Council, representing District 6. This January, Stockton’s Mayor, Christina Fugazi, appointed him as vice mayor.
‘She Did That.’ Holiday Bazaar Returns With A Mission To Lift Black Entrepreneurs
Renae Bluitt already has visions for expansion
When Renae Bluitt looks at the journey of She Did That Holiday Bazaar, she can’t help but feel a sense of awe. What started with fewer than 10 vendors in a Harlem beauty shop has grown into New York City’s most intentional holiday marketplace for Black women founders — and now, thanks to a powerful partnership, Black men entrepreneurs as well.
On Dec. 6, the Bazaar returns to Brooklyn’s Industry City for a day dedicated to “celebrating Black entrepreneurship, building community, and shopping with purpose,” as stated in the event’s official release. Bluitt, the founder and executive producer of She Did That, calls this gathering “the most important work that I’ve done in my entire career.”
“In my early years of my career, I was doing PR in the agency and corporate world. I started my own consultancy, at which point I got to get a really intimate look at how small businesses, particularly those run by Black women, were being operated,” Bluitt said. “I was just so impressed with how much Black women are able to do with so very few resources. I was just so inspired. And I was like, people need to hear these women’s stories.”
She built that platform first with the In Her Shoes blog, then the She Did That. documentary, and today, a whole ecosystem. “I really believe in this community,” Bluitt told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “It’s more than people just participating in the events. These women are showing up for each other throughout the year. We are showing up for them throughout the year with different opportunities and really creating an ecosystem for us all to be able to lean into each other and not just survive, but thrive and do it together.”
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Bluitt acknowledges the economic pressure many founders are under right now. “This has been one of the most challenging years,” she said. “Small businesses are dealing with tariffs, they’re dealing with inflation, and funding has always been a challenge for small businesses, particularly owned by us.”
That’s why the Holiday Bazaar remains urgent. “At its core, the Holiday Bazaar is offering one of the most fundamental human needs, which is to be seen,” Bluitt said. “As much as this is a shopping event, it’s also a marketing platform for small businesses.”
Bluitt sees the Bazaar as a place where founders can strengthen their customer base, be discovered by corporate decision-makers, and unlock partnerships that live long after one weekend. “We’ve seen that happen. So that’s like part of the magic of what we’ve created.”
With this year’s community push urging consumers to spend exclusively with Black-owned brands during the holiday rush via a mass shopping blackout, Bluitt believes the Bazaar gives people a tangible way to follow through.
“The Holiday Bazaar is giving people really no excuses,” Bluitt says. “Posting on social is great, but then what is the action behind it?” she said. “This event gives people a chance to come out, shop over 60 Black women and men-owned brands, be in community, enjoy great food and great music.”
For Bluitt, conscious commerce isn’t just a seasonal gesture. “My vision is for us to think about each day: how can we invest in a small business in our community? If we did that, we could really be powerful and shift some of the energy around what’s happening right now in our community.”
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This year’s vendor list spans beauty, wellness, fashion, home, and children’s products. “We are super excited about everyone,” Bluitt said, but she spotlighted a few standouts:
• Born to Roam, an LA-based accessories brand known for its dramatic hats — including the viral cowboy hat worn throughout Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour. “I personally love her hat. So excited to have her joining us.”
• Zuri Rose, a children’s brand featuring dolls, books, and accessories. “It’s really kind of like one-stop shopping for little girls.”
• The Black Man Can, partnering again for the He Did That. Marketplace, offering branded totes and hoodies as well as affirmation cards for men.
• Never Settle, an apparel brand with “beautiful varsity jackets, hoodies.”
Shoppers can expect the perfect pairing: “Shopping and food go hand in hand.” Favorites like The Crabby Shack, BCake NY (“she’s actually been with us for all nine years”), and vegan hotspot Aunts et Uncles will all be on-site.
Last year, Bluitt introduced the He Did That. Marketplace — a dedicated space for Black men-owned brands — in partnership with The Black Man Can. She said the idea was born from listening.
“Since the beginning of She Did That., the fellas have been like, what about ‘He Did That’?” Bluitt recalls. “It kicked off last year, and it was a huge, huge hit.”
“Now, more than ever, we need to lock arms with each other… and make sure we’re keeping each other lifted so that we can just stay above water,” Bluitt says.
In addition to shopping, this year introduces a partnership with One Love Community Fridge, a nonprofit fighting food insecurity across Brooklyn. Attendees will be able to support the mission on-site.
Bluitt said the choice felt deeply aligned. “We’re seeing a lot of people in our community dealing with food insecurity… I love that One Love… you’re able to get donations, no questions asked, on healthy foods that are really nourishing your mind and your body.”
Above all else, Bluitt wants guests to leave the Bazaar with joy and hope.
“That room, for me, is filled with joy from the moment the merchants come in,” she says. “The room is buzzing. The music is taking over the space, there’s laughter,” she said. “That joy is infectious and so needed now more than ever.”
The event also offers something priceless in an increasingly isolated world. “It’s very easy when you’re working from home to look up, and you haven’t seen or touched another human in 40 or 72 hours,” Bluitt admits. “Being in this event is a beautiful reminder of the goodness in our community.”
When it comes to the future of the She Did That. Holiday Bazaar, Bluitt already has visions for expansion. “I would love to make it a two-day experience. I’d love to add a mentorship element and a funding piece, whether it’s a pitch competition or a grant,” she adds. She dreams of bringing celebrity entrepreneurs like Tracee Ellis Ross into the fold to share their own stories and experiences. “There are a handful of celebrities that I would love to bring into this space.”
This year, attendees can also grab a limited-edition shopping tote designed in collaboration with Maya Winston, available via Eventbrite. “It’s only $20, and it’s something that people will be able to use for shopping all year round,” Bluitt notes.
“There’s still time to get your tickets and join us,” Bluitt emphasizes. “This is a good time to tap into that community joy.”
Tickets for the Bazaar, taking place from noon to 6 pm on Dec. 6 at Industry City, areavailable on Eventbrite. For more information on She Did That., visit the website.
