by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 20, 2026

International Energy Agency Encourages Working From Home And Traveling Less As Global Oil Crisis Grows

Ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global supply chains, pushing oil prices above $100 a barrel for the first time since 2022.

The International Energy Agency has issued new guidance encouraging remote work and less travel as conflict in the Middle East drives up oil prices.

On March 20, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released a list of 10 immediate measures for governments, businesses, and households to help curb rising oil demand. Recommendations include working from home, lowering highway speed limits by at least 6 miles per hour, carpooling, reducing air travel, and increasing public transportation use.

According to the IEA, reducing business travel can quickly ease pressure on jet fuel demand. The agency also recommends using electric cooking where possible and shifting to biofuels or converted vehicles from liquid petroleum gas, or LPG, to gasoline.

The IEA issued guidance to member countries—including the U.S., U.K., and Australia—urging immediate action following military strikes on Iran that have triggered one of the largest supply disruptions in the global oil market. The guidance comes as Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, surged to about $106 per barrel on March 20 after briefly nearing $120 the day prior, following an Iranian attack on a major liquefied natural gas facility in Qatar.

Ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global supply chains, pushing oil prices above $100 a barrel for the first time since 2022.

“The war in the Middle East is creating a major energy crisis, including the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market. In the absence of a swift resolution, the impacts on energy markets and economies are set to become more and more severe,” IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said in a statement.

Birol warned that without a swift resolution to the Iran conflict, “the impacts on energy markets and economies are set to become more and more severe.”

The IEA noted that governments are already taking steps to curb demand and support households, with countries like Austria and Greece capping fuel retailers’ profits, while the U.K. is offering aid to cover heating oil costs. Some governments have also limited official travel and launched campaigns urging reduced energy use.

Birol said the recommendations offer a “menu of immediate and concrete measures” for governments, businesses, and households to help shield consumers from the crisis.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 20, 2026

Barry Bonds Joins Netflix As Analyst For Major League Baseball’s 2026 Season

He will be with Netflix when it livestream on select dates.

Major League Baseball’s home run king, Barry Bonds, will join streaming giant Netflix as an analyst for the upcoming 2026 season.

The company announced that the controversial figure will make his when the New York Yankees open their season on the road at Oracle Park in San Francisco to take on the San Francisco Giants. Bonds played for the Giants from 1993 to 2007 and made history, though not everyone agrees.

Barry Bonds is in the building.

The Home Run King, 7x NL MVP, Single Season Home Run Leader and Giants legend joins the crew for MLB Opening Night: Yankees vs. Giants.

LIVE on Netflix March 25 with special coverage beginning at 7PM ET | 4PM PT. pic.twitter.com/XT12G00up2
— netflix⁷ (@netflix) March 19, 2026

The 2026 MLB season starts March 25.

This broadcast is Netflix’s first. It’s part of a three-game deal that will also see the streaming company livestream the Home Run Derby on July 13 and MLB at Field of Dreams on Aug. 13. Bonds is slated to be part of all three events.

Bonds will be joined by two-time World Series champion and three-time National League MVP Albert Pujols, World Series champion Anthony Rizzo, and Emmy Award–winning host Elle Duncan at the pre- and postgame desk.

Controversy has surrounded Bonds after he was suspected of using steroids during his career, bringing heat to baseball and Bonds during that time. Many players were accused of using steroids and other performance enhancing drugs in the early to mid-2000s. Many viewed that as cheating in a sport that required them to use their natural talents to perform.

Bonds’ steroids use was never proven, and he has remained mum on the subject, but it has prevented his entry into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, despite a record-breaking career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Giants.

Bonds broke records for the most career home runs (762) and the single-season home run record, when he 73 in 2001. In his career, he appeared in 14 All-Star Games, won 12 Silver Slugger awards, and took home eight Gold Gloves.

Morehouse College of Medicine, Match Day, livestreamed

by Kandiss Edwards

March 20, 2026

Morehouse School Of Medicine Match Day Will Be Live Streamed

Nearly half of the institution's graduates, approximately 45% to 50%, enter into primary care specialties.

On March 20 at 12 p.m., the Morehouse School of Medicine will stream its Match Day ceremony, the institution announced. Family and friends will join the incoming class for celebration and reflection of their journeys thus far.

Match Day is a defining milestone where fourth-year medical students across the nation discover where they will spend the next several years of their residency training. This year’s ceremony, held on the MSM campus, will highlight a class of aspiring medical professionals. Due to the trend of MSM receiving high match rates, 96% to 98% in recent years, it’s safe to say both students and the institution are aligned in its goals.

A significant portion of the Class of 2026 matched into primary care and core specialty disciplines. Disciplines include family medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, and internal medicine. While the school offers more niche options, its focus on primary care specialties aligns with the school’s mission to address physician shortages in Georgia and beyond.

Class of 2026

Morehouse School of Medicine highlighted upcoming matches on the institution’s student blog.

Dieynabou Diallo (General Surgery): A Guinean-American physician and mother, Diallo pursued general surgery with a focus on “tangible results” and patient advocacy. She balances her medical career with motherhood and global health leadership, having co-founded The Standard, a nonprofit focused on sustainable development in West Africa.
Adrian Day (Emergency Medicine): Hailing from a rural community with limited medical resources, Day was inspired by his time as a medical scribe. He views the emergency department as the “center of the community” and plans to use his platform for mentorship and health advocacy.
Domonique White (Emergency Medicine): A first-generation physician from Norfolk, Virginia, White was driven by a commitment to patient autonomy and clear communication. She will pursue a fellowship in simulation to teach future clinicians how to integrate cultural competence into hands-on training.

Nearly half of the institution’s graduates, approximately 45% to 50%, enter into primary care specialties. The MSM dedicates itself to increasing access to physicians in local areas and many of its students take up the cause. Student dedication is evidenced by the fact that between 35% and 42% of students match into programs within the state of Georgia. Roughly one-fifth of the class chooses to continue their professional training specifically within Morehouse School of Medicine residencies.

Grady Health, Atlanta-Area Medical Campus, South Fulton

by Kandiss Edwards

March 20, 2026

Grady Health Launches $1B Atlanta-Area Medical Campus To End ‘Healthcare Desert’ In South Fulton

The $1 billion investment is supported by $300 million in Fulton County bonds.

The Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation Board of Directors and the Fulton County Board of Commissioners have approved plans for an expansive $1 billion medical campus in South Fulton County.

On March 18, Grady Health Systems announced the project via press release. The project’s multiyear initiative aims to eliminate the “healthcare desert” created by the 2022 closure of Atlanta Medical Center South.

A 200-bed hospital will anchor the new campus on Campbellton Fairburn Road in Union City. According to the strategic plan, the hospital is expected to serve as a Level 3 trauma center and will include critical care units and a surgery center. Additionally, there will be a full floor dedicated to pediatric care provided by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The development will roll out in phases: a freestanding emergency department is set to open in June 2026, followed by a medical office building in 2028 and the full-service hospital in 2031.

“South Fulton County is a recognized healthcare desert,” Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts said in the press release. “For the people of South Fulton, improved access to healthcare is not a luxury; it is a necessity. No longer will families be forced to travel long distances or lose critical time seeking emergency services. Closing this gap will save lives.”

Fulton County leaders have approved a $900 million hospital in South Fulton/Union City to serve an area that has had few hospitals, known as a “healthcare desert.”

The hospital will have 200 beds and an emergency room to make care easier to access for local residents. pic.twitter.com/SSM4iT5E7c
— Everything Georgia (@GAFollowers) March 19, 2026

The $1 billion investment is supported by $300 million in Fulton County bonds. The remaining $700 million is sourced through Grady’s internal financing and a multiyear philanthropic capital campaign. System leaders estimate the new campus will create more than 2,000 jobs and provide critical care access to roughly 360,000 residents in the southern portion of the metro area.

“As we prepare for the future, this campus signals a new era for Grady,” retiring president and CEO John Haupert said. “We are not just expanding our footprint; we are strengthening the foundation of care for the next generation of Atlantans.”

States,Ban, Federal Agents, Local Police, anit-mask

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 20, 2026

Show Yourself! States Push To Ban Federal Agents, Local Police From Hiding Their Faces

Some state leaders have called face shields 'deeply un-American.'

Bill proposals are flying in from states to ban federal agents — and even local police — from wearing masks covering their faces, with some state leaders calling face shields “deeply un-American,” Associated Press reports.

Some anti-mask proposals are coming in after court rulings blocked the first-of-its-kind laws in California. In early 2026, a federal judge blocked a law from taking effect that would have banned federal immigration agents from covering their faces but required them to wear clear identification revealing their agency and badge number.

As pushback against President Donald Trump’s anti-immigration brigade that has cost the lives of U.S. citizens, several Democratic-led legislatures in Oregon and Virginia have spearheaded efforts to ban masked agents who have faced criticism that face coverings encourage them to act aggressively.

One state that is standing on business is Washington, as Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5855, which bans masks immediately for agents, as well as state and local police. He signed the legislation at El Centro de la Raza, a hub created for the local Latino community in south Seattle, saying it’s time for advocacy like this. “I’m convinced that years from now, our children and grandchildren will ask: What were we doing?” Ferguson said, according to the Washington State Standard.

“Whatever our station in life happens to be, we all have a responsibility to speak out peacefully, make our voices heard, and advocate for laws like this one.”

The bill holds exceptions for personal protective equipment, helmets, SWAT gear, and face coverings for religious purposes. It also allows people detained by officers who are illegally masked to file lawsuits against them, potentially resulting in monetary damages. Ferguson, along with bill sponsor Sen. Javier Valdez, described the legislation as one of the most important of the year. Like other states, Washington has seen the damage of federal agents’ presence, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detaining people. “That’s not the Washington that I was born and raised in,” Valdez said.

“We were not going to stand for this.”

But of course, as officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) caught wind of the proposals and moves in Washington, they released a statement, labeling the legislation as “irresponsible, reckless and dangerous.” “To be crystal clear: we will not abide by this unconstitutional ban,” a DHS spokesperson said.

Republican lawmakers have also raised objections amid the rise of anti-masking bills, arguing that they need to adhere to protesters as well and that the ban could invite negative perceptions. “The demonization of public safety officers is something that has a deep impact that reverberates across our citizenry,” Oregon Sen. David Brock Smith said.

“There are individuals that riot and dox these public safety individuals.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 20, 2026

Tina Turner’s Name, Image, Likeness, And Major Share Of Her Music Catalog Acquired By Swedish Firm Pophouse Entertainment

Swedish company Pophouse Entertainment has acquired Tina Turner's name, image, and likeness rights, along with a majority stake in her music catalog.

A Swedish company known for its digital avatars and immersive experiences has acquired the rights to Tina Turner’s name, image, and likeness, as well as a majority stake in her music catalog.

On March 19, Pophouse Entertainment, the Swedish company co-founded by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus, announced its acquisition of Turner’s NIL rights as well as a bulk of her music catalogue from music company BMG, AP News reports. With its reputation for creating engaging digital avatars and immersive experiences, Pophouse discussed its interest in its Turner acquisition.

“One of the reasons that we were so interested in Tina is because she has such an incredible visual presence and such an incredible stage energy,” said Pophouse CEO Jessica Koravos. “And so, we’re very much looking at projects that can portray that and try to recreate that to some degree.”

“What we want to do is really help to consolidate her legacy,” she added. “I think that Tina Turner is up there, or is going to be up there, with the Elvises and the Marilyn Monroes of the world.”

Koravos declined to disclose the financial terms of the deal or outline specific plans for the Turner acquisition. She also would not confirm whether a digital avatar is in development, but said Pophouse will share more details within the next six months.

The acquisition comes nearly three years after Tina Turner’s death at age 83. Known as the “Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll,” she rose to global stardom with hits like “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” “The Best,” and “Proud Mary.” Over her long and storied career, Turner won 12 Grammy Awards, earned a Lifetime Achievement honor, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, received Kennedy Center Honors in 2005, and sold more than 150 million records worldwide.

Pophouse began discussions for the deal after her passing. Koravos noted that BMG still retains a stake in Turner’s catalog, and while her estate was not a formal counterparty, it was informed and involved in the discussions.

“Tina Turner’s voice and spirit shaped modern music and popular culture,” Alistair Norbury, president of BMG U.K., Continental Europe and APAC, wrote in a statement. “Our responsibility, alongside Pophouse and the Estate, is to ensure her work continues to resonate with audiences around the world, while remaining true to the strength, independence and originality that defined her career.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 20, 2026

ChatGPT Flagged A Museum HVAC Replacement Grant As DEI So DOGE Cancelled It, Court Documents Reveal

According to ChatGPT, HVAC qualifies as DEI.

Any grant that Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffers deemed as DEI, with the help of ChatGPT, was flagged and cancelled, including funds that helped a museum stay cool, court documents show.

Yes, DOGE, once led by Tesla guru Elon Musk, cancelled a grant for HVAC repairs at a North Carolina museum after ChatGPT flagged it for DEI, FOX 8 reports. The High Point Museum was among the victims in an ongoing lawsuit by the American Council of Learned Societies against the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

According to documents from that lawsuit, NEH awarded the museum a $349,000 grant to replace its HVAC system, but the grant was canceled after the new federal agency tasked with reviewing government spending, including grants related to DEI, was established. Museum Director Edith Brady said the project was started but had to be abruptly stopped.

“We began the project, and it was later terminated,” Brady said in a statement. But, luckily, she said they “were able to recoup about 70% of the original award through the grant termination clause.”

DOGE employees Justin Fox and Nate Cavanaugh admitted in a suit deposition to using ChatGPT.

A spreadsheet was presented in the case listing prompts that Fox and Cavanaugh asked ChatGPT in order to determine if grants were DEI-related. “Does the following relate at all to DEI? Respond factually in less than 120 characters. Begin with ‘Yes.’ or ‘No.’ followed by a brief explanation. Do not use ‘this initiative’ or ‘this description’ in your response,” the prompts began, according to Fortune.

Among the grants reviewed, the High Point Museum’s HVAC replacement.

The verbiage fed into the AI system from the grant proposal read as, “The High Point Museum proposes to replace aging HVAC systems in the Museum’s main building to create a better preservation environment for the varied collections it houses. Phase one of the project, completed in 2021, analyzed the existing HVAC systems and was followed by a building envelope study in 2022.

“New equipment will ensure greater flexibility in responding to outside conditions, will improve energy efficiency, and will further the Museum’s goal of providing greater access to its collections by ensuring their long-term viability.”

ChatGPT’s response:

“Yes. Improving HVAC systems enhances preservation conditions for collections, aligning with the goal of providing greater access to diverse audiences. #DEI.”

Acting NEH chairman Michael McDonald, who was appointed by President Donald Trump amid his anti-DEI tirade, admitted to Fox in an email that some of the grants actually hold no harm to promoting the initiative. “But you have also told us that in addition to canceling projects because they may promote DEI ideology, the DOGE Team also wishes to cancel funding to assist deficit reduction,” he said.

“Either way, as you’ve made clear, it’s your decision on whether to discontinue funding any of the projects on this list.”

However, moves like this have cost people their jobs and livelihoods, all in the name of cutting the federal deficit.

Lawyers questioned Cavanaugh about the efforts and how effective they were. “Did you reduce the federal deficit?” the attorney asked.

“No, we didn’t,” Cavanaugh said.

Allen University, Head Coach, Olivia Gaines

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 20, 2026

Allen University Fires Head Coach Olivia Gaines After 2 Winning Seasons

The shocking move takes place after her wins elevated the program during her tenure.

After Olivia Gaines led Allen University’s women’s basketball team to an overall record of 36-19 over two years, the school has terminated her as head coach of the Yellow Jackets.

According to HBCU Gameday, the former South Carolina Gamecocks guard will no longer patrol the sidelines for the school, as her agent has confirmed that her employment at Allen has ended.

Back-to-back winning seasons, and history made wasn’t enough to keep former Gamecocks star and Dawn Staley disciple Olivia Gaines at the D2 HBCU. @livforhoops with the scoop: https://t.co/V3bIfOE6Gh pic.twitter.com/Dig6cyaYUB
— HBCU Gameday (@HBCUGameday) March 19, 2026

WLTX reported that the school released a statement about the termination.

“The University is grateful for the time, energy, and commitment that Coach Olivia Gaines has dedicated to our Women’s Basketball program but has decided to move in a different direction.”

“The priority remains providing a positive and competitive environment for our student athletes both on and off the court. Allen is committed to continuing the growth and success of the program, and a search for new leadership will begin immediately.”

The shocking move takes place after her wins elevated the program during her tenure. Two consecutive seasons with a winning record and winning 18 games (18-9, 13-6 in conference play) for the 2024-2025 season, which set a program record while finishing in second place in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). That was the highest the team has finished in school history. This past season, the team ended the year with an almost identical first-season record of 18-10 overall, with a conference record of 16-8.

While heading the program, the women’s basketball team held the best overall record among all sports at the school.

Gaines came up under the tutelage of South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley while playing for the Gamecocks, helping the team win SEC titles and reach the Final Four in 2015.

She began her college career at Louisburg College. In 2013, she was named NJCAA National Player of the Year and led her team to a national championship.

Atlanta Georgia, education, Super Bowl LXII, Atlanta Wine and Jazz Festival, Build-to-rent

by Kandiss Edwards

March 20, 2026

‘404 Day!’ Founder Asks Others To Stop Using Its Logo

Butler asked other organizers not to use the group’s trademarked logo and made sure followers knew how to identify the official 404 Day brand.

Organizers behind Atlanta’s annual 404 Day Weekend want to clear up any confusion about the name and brand, as multiple groups promote events tied to the weekend celebration on April 1 – 4.

In an Instagram post, Brandon Butler says 404 Collective is the official partner of the City of Atlanta. The collective comprises Butter ATL, Atlanta Influences Everything, and the Trap Music Museum. For clarity, he asks other organizers not to use the group’s trademarked logo. Additionally, Butler made sure followers knew how to identify the official 404 Day brand.

“This is a letter from the city of Atlanta that just came out this week, stating that the 404 Collective is the official partners for the city of Atlanta for 404 Day weekend this year,” Butler said, including a screenshot of the official statement.

Butler acknowledged that other promoters will and should organize celebrations across the city,

“I know people are planning events, and that’s fine.”

However, he emphasized that official programming connected to the collective will appear on the group’s website.

“We have partner events that are also on our website, but all those will be listed on our website along with our events,” he said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Butter.ATL (@butter.atl)

Beyond partying, the official 404 Day organization has been deeply involved in multiple community initiatives over the years, including scholarship fundraising. Butler directed observers to the organization’s official website to learn more about its good works.

“It talks about all the work we’ve been doing from our events to our scholarship gala, giving away over $200,000 in the last couple of years,” he said, “This is a picture of us giving away over $80,000 with the city just a couple of years ago for 404 days.”

He further pointed to proclamations recognizing the event’s impact, including one issued by the Atlanta City Council and another from U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams, a Democrat who represents Georgia’s 5th Congressional District.

Further emphasizing the logo, Butler mentioned the brand’s 2025 collaboration with Adidas.

“I’m sure y’all remember the shoes we did with Adidas last year for 404,” he said. “Notice the logo? It’s the same logo.”

Despite the confusion surrounding various events being promoted across the city, 404 Day is already shaping up to be a grand event featuring a parade, scholarship gala, block party, and nightlife events.

“We have a lot of amazing events, from parade, scholarship gala, block party,” Butler said. “We have night parties, all kinds of stuff.”

Hate Crime, Black Student, Gavel, Kamala Harris Calls Families Of Sonya Massey And D’Vontaye Mitchell

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 20, 2026

Georgia Woman Charged With Murder For Taking Abortion Pills

A Georgia woman is jailed on murder charges after allegedly using abortion pills to end her pregnancy, which is illegal under state law.

A Georgia woman has been jailed on murder and drug possession charges after allegedly taking pills to induce an illegal abortion.

Alexia Moore, 31, has been in custody in coastal Camden County since March 4 on charges of murder and illegal drug possession after admitting she took abortion pills, WSB-TV reports. Authorities say she was more than six weeks pregnant, in violation of Georgia’s 2019 law banning most abortions.

“No one should be criminalized for having an abortion,” said Dana Sussman, senior vice-president of the advocacy group Pregnancy Justice, calling Moore’s case “an unprecedented murder charge for an alleged abortion.”

Her arrest came weeks after she went to Southeast Georgia Health System Hospital in Camden County on Dec. 30, 2025, with abdominal pain. According to an arrest warrant obtained by police in Kingsland, she told medical staff she had taken misoprostol, a medication used for abortions, along with the opioid oxycodone.

According to the report, Moore later delivered a premature baby girl with serious health complications, who subsequently died about an hour after delivery. Authorities said she attempted to leave the hospital after trying to end the pregnancy herself.

Investigators wrote that Moore told nurses, “I know my infant is suffering because I caused the abortion. I want her to die.”

If state prosecutors move forward with the murder charge against Moore, it could mark one of the first cases in Georgia where a woman is prosecuted for ending her own pregnancy since the state’s 2019 abortion law took effect. The law bans most abortions once embryonic cardiac activity is detected, typically around six weeks, often before many women realize they are pregnant.

Court records show Moore’s attorney has filed motions seeking bond and a speedy trial, with a hearing scheduled for March 23.

The decision on whether to pursue a murder charge will ultimately rest with Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Keith Higgins, who would need to secure a grand jury indictment.