Baltimore Gas and Electric has filed a request to increase electric delivery rates beginning next year, a proposal that could add about $8 to the monthly bill of a residential customer with average electricity usage.

In an email sent to customers, BGE CEO Tamla Olivier announced the proposed increase in a message to customers following severe storms that knocked out power to more than 100,000 customers across the region.

Olivier acknowledged that the request comes as Maryland families continue to face higher costs for groceries, housing, childcare, healthcare and other necessities.

According to the utility company, the proposed rate increase is not intended to fund business expansion or new projects. BGE said it has reduced its planned investments and is focusing on work it considers necessary to maintain safe and reliable electric service for its more than 1.3 million customers.

Much of the equipment used to deliver electricity to homes and businesses was installed decades ago, according to the company. BGE said delaying maintenance and replacement work could lead to more frequent or longer outages, along with emergency repairs that may cost more than planned upgrades.

“This is not a wish list,” Olivier wrote. “This is the minimum amount of work we believe must be done to continue providing the reliable service our customers expect.”

The company pointed to the recent severe storms as an example of why continued investments in workers, equipment and emergency-response resources are needed.

The proposal must be reviewed by the Maryland Public Service Commission before any increase can take effect. The commission will evaluate the utility’s request, and customers, consumer advocates and other stakeholders will have opportunities to participate in the review process.

BGE also encouraged customers experiencing financial difficulties to contact the company before falling behind on payments. Assistance may be available through payment arrangements, energy-assistance programs and energy-saving resources.

Olivier said the company plans to remain transparent throughout the regulatory process and explain how the requested money would be used.

The exact rate increase customers could see will depend on the Maryland Public Service Commission’s final decision and individual electricity usage.

Check out the full statement below:

Baltimore residents could eventually stop changing their clocks twice a year under federal legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent across most of the country.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Sunshine Protection Act on July 14 in a bipartisan 308-117 vote. The proposal must still pass the Senate and receive President Donald Trump’s signature before becoming law. The Senate has not yet approved the bill, and its path forward remains uncertain.

Should the measure become law, Maryland would likely remain on daylight saving time throughout the year. That would eliminate the traditional “spring forward” and “fall back” clock changes.

For Baltimore, permanent daylight saving time would not create additional daylight. Instead, it would shift an hour of sunlight from the morning to the evening during the winter.

On Dec. 1, Baltimore currently experiences sunrise at approximately 7:07 a.m. and sunset around 4:44 p.m. Under permanent daylight saving time, sunrise would move to about 8:07 a.m., while sunset would occur around 5:44 p.m.

Around the winter solstice in late December, sunrise would shift from approximately 7:23 a.m. to 8:23 a.m. Sunset would move from about 4:47 p.m. to 5:47 p.m.

The latest winter sunrises would arrive in early January. On Jan. 1, sunrise would move from approximately 7:26 a.m. to 8:26 a.m., while sunset would shift from 4:54 p.m. to 5:54 p.m.

By Feb. 1, Baltimore would see sunrise around 8:14 a.m. and sunset around 6:27 p.m., rather than the current standard-time schedule of approximately 7:14 a.m. and 5:27 p.m.

Supporters argue that longer evenings could benefit restaurants, retailers, tourism and outdoor activities. Opponents are concerned that later winter sunrises would force students, commuters and early-morning workers to travel before daylight.

The United States briefly experimented with year-round daylight saving time in 1974, but Congress reversed the change following widespread complaints about dark winter mornings.

Maryland Tax-Free Week Returns in August With a Chance to Win $1,000

Maryland’s Tax-Free Week is returning next month, giving shoppers a chance to save on back-to-school essentials and other qualifying purchases. This year, Marylanders also have an opportunity to win up to $1,000.

Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman highlighted the upcoming savings event Wednesday morning at Beltway Mall in Greenbelt, encouraging residents to plan ahead.

“The savings that people make, they matter,” Lierman said, noting the importance of helping Maryland families save as costs continue to rise.

When Is Maryland Tax-Free Week?

Tax-Free Week will take place August 9 through August 15. During the week, Maryland’s 6% sales tax will be waived on eligible clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less per item.

For families preparing for the new school year, the first $40 of the purchase price of a qualifying backpack will also be exempt from sales tax.

The savings aren’t limited to back-to-school shoppers. Anyone looking to refresh their wardrobe can take advantage of the tax exemption on qualifying purchases.

Enter for a Chance to Win Up to $1,000

Marylanders can also put their money-saving skills to the test through a special Tax-Free Week video contest.

To enter, participants must record a short video at a brick-and-mortar retailer in Maryland and share a tip for saving money during Tax-Free Week.

Videos must be posted on Instagram, Facebook, X, or YouTube using the hashtag #ShopMDTaxFreeContest and then submitted through the Maryland Comptroller’s website by August 1.

Participants must be at least 18 years old. Winners will be announced on August 8, with prizes awarded as follows:

• First Place: $1,000
• Second Place: $500
• Third Place: $250

Whether you’re shopping for the upcoming school year or simply updating your wardrobe, Maryland Tax-Free Week offers a chance to stretch your budget a little further and potentially walk away with some extra cash.

Maryland shoppers will soon have a chance to save on clothing, shoes and backpacks during the state’s annual Tax-Free Week.

The weeklong sales tax holiday will run from Aug. 9 through Aug. 15, giving residents a break from Maryland’s 6% sales tax on qualifying purchases. Comptroller Brooke Lierman announced details about the event Wednesday at Beltway Plaza Mall in Greenbelt.

During Tax-Free Week, eligible clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less per item will be exempt from the state sales tax. The exemption is available to all shoppers, including families preparing for the upcoming school year and residents looking to refresh their wardrobes.

The first $40 of the purchase price of a qualifying backpack or bookbag will also be tax-free.

State officials are encouraging Marylanders to plan ahead and wait until the sales tax holiday to purchase eligible items. A $100 qualifying purchase, for example, could save a shopper $6 in sales tax.

In addition to helping families manage rising costs, officials said Tax-Free Week provides an important boost for retailers and local economies. Shoppers are encouraged to support neighborhood stores and small businesses during the event.

This year, Maryland is also offering shoppers a chance to win up to $1,000 through the #ShopMDTaxFreeContest.

To enter, residents must record a short video inside a brick-and-mortar retailer in Maryland and share a money-saving tip for Tax-Free Week. Videos must be posted on Instagram, Facebook, X or YouTube using the hashtag #ShopMDTaxFreeContest and then submitted through the Maryland Comptroller’s website.

The contest is open to Maryland residents who are at least 18 years old. Entries must be submitted by Aug. 1, and the winners are expected to be announced Aug. 8.

The first-place winner will receive $1,000, while second place will receive $500 and third place will receive $250. Click here for more info.

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith continues to earn recognition from players across the NFL.

Smith was ranked No. 65 on this year’s “NFL Top 100,” marking his fifth consecutive appearance on the annual list. The rankings are determined through voting by NFL players.

Since arriving in Baltimore midway through the 2022 season, Smith has been one of the Ravens’ most reliable defensive leaders. He has earned four consecutive Pro Bowl selections and has consistently ranked among the team’s leading tacklers.

RELATED: Kyle Hamilton Named NFL’s Best Safety in ESPN Ranking

Although Smith did not receive a fourth straight All-Pro selection last season, he remained an important part of Baltimore’s defense. He led the Ravens in tackles for the third consecutive year and turned his only fumble recovery into a 63-yard touchdown, the second defensive score of his career.

Smith did not record a sack for the first time in his career last season, but he still found ways to disrupt opposing offenses. According to NFL.com, his 14.1% quarterback pressure rate was the highest of his three full seasons with Baltimore.

The recognition comes shortly after Smith was ranked as the NFL’s second-best off-ball linebacker in ESPN’s annual survey of league executives, coaches and scouts. He finished behind San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner.

Smith will now be counted on to help lead Baltimore’s defense into its first season under head coach Jesse Minter.

Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton continues to earn recognition as one of the NFL’s top defensive players.

For the third consecutive year, Hamilton finished among the top two safeties in ESPN’s annual rankings, which are determined by votes from league executives, coaches and scouts. For the second straight year, Hamilton claimed the No. 1 spot.

Hamilton’s versatility, size and physical style of play have made him a key piece of the Ravens’ defense. At 6-foot-4, he has the ability to line up at safety, in the slot or near the line of scrimmage, creating difficult matchups for opposing offenses.

RELATED: Ravens To Open 2026 Preseason Against Philadelphia Eagles

An AFC offensive coach praised Hamilton’s ability to impact multiple areas of the game, noting that he can cover receivers, defend the run and pressure quarterbacks as a blitzer. His wide-ranging skill set forces opposing teams to account for him when creating their offensive game plans.

Hamilton’s presence also had a noticeable impact on Baltimore’s defense last season. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, opposing quarterbacks recorded a QBR of just 49 when Hamilton was on the field. That number jumped to 90 when he was not in the lineup.

During his first three NFL seasons from 2022 through 2024, Hamilton became the only defensive back to record at least 15 tackles for loss, five sacks and five interceptions. His production helped him secure a four-year, $104 million contract extension with the Ravens.

RELATED: Ravens Named ESPN’s 2026 Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year

Hamilton followed the extension with another dominant season, earning first-team All-Pro honors and further establishing himself as one of the league’s premier defensive players.

As the Ravens prepare for the upcoming season, Hamilton is expected to remain a centerpiece of Baltimore’s defense and one of the most versatile defenders in the NFL.

Today would have been Assata Shakur’s 79th birthday. Although the legendary freedom fighter joined the ancestors on Sept. 25, 2025, her memory, legacy, and impact are still here to remind us that the work is not done and that we have so much more to accomplish. 

If you had been in the room at the Riverside Church in New York on May 30 as we celebrated the life of Assata the mother, Assata the grandmother, Assata the activist, Assata the freedom fighter, Assata the author, Assata the Black Panther, and Assata the political target, you would understand that “Carry It On” is not just a phrase from a poem or a refrain heard often throughout the service; it is a mantra and a mandate that we keep pushing, keep remembering, keep preserving, and keep fighting. 

The best way to do all of those things in Assata’s name is to remember her and her work, and the Assata Shakur Archives Project seeks to do just that 

Members of the Assata Shakur Memorial Committee and her family are launching a call for artifacts to help establish the Assata Shakur Archives Project. Those who support the project are asked to join the conversation on social media by using the hashtag #AssataLives. 

The Assata Shakur Memorial Committee said in a statement, “The Assata Shakur Archives is a project dedicated to gathering, preserving, curating and sharing the digital and physical archives of activist, artist, mother, grandmother, poet, writer, revolutionary freedom fighter Assata Shakur.

“We are creating a living memorial to document the life of Assata Shakur with the aim of remembering and preserving her legacy–and our own.”

Assata Olugbala Shakur was an activist, mother, grandmother, artist, writer, freedom fighter, and member of the Black Panther Party, the Republic of New Afrika, and the Black Liberation Army, who joined the ranks of the many freedom fighters targeted by the U.S. government’s illegal COINTELPRO (Counter-Intelligence Program). 

On Nov. 2, 1979, with the help of committed comrades, she escaped from prison and was later granted political asylum in Cuba.

She wrote her book, Assata, An Autobiography, in 1987. The book is still in print, has been translated into many languages, and is taught in high schools, colleges, and universities throughout the world.

The committee asks that, on July 16, 2026, you follow the hashtag #AssataLives to witness and share artifacts that illuminate the powerful and amazing work spanning nearly eight decades of liberatory love and freedom-fighting.

This project comes two months after the historic Carry it On Assata Shakur Memorial at New York City’s Riverside Church. After the celebration of life, several members of the memorial host committee reconvened to build a public, permanent space of remembrance, honoring, storytelling, and truth-affirmation. 

Our ancestors and their stories belong to us. 

“More than anything, Assata belonged to her people. She taught us to refuse and reject erasure, to continue the work, and to always tell our own history. This project is one of the many ways we will ‘carry it on’,” the committee said in a statement.

Assata Lives, and Assata is always welcome here. 

SEE ALSO:

Carrying It On for Assata Shakur, The Embodiment Of Black Liberation

Assata Shakur: They Carried It On And Uplifted Her Name

Cases of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic illness known to cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms, have more than doubled in Maryland over the past week, according to state health officials.

The Maryland Department of Health reported Wednesday that 69 cases have been confirmed statewide so far in 2026. Of those, 65 were reported between May 1 and July 14.

Just one week earlier, health officials had confirmed 32 cases for the year, including 28 since May 1. MedStar Health previously confirmed that at least one patient was diagnosed in Baltimore.

Cyclosporiasis is caused by the cyclospora parasite and can lead to prolonged digestive problems. Common symptoms include frequent watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, extreme fatigue and loss of appetite. Symptoms may continue for several days or weeks if the infection is not treated.

The illness is typically spread when a person consumes food or water contaminated with the parasite. Health experts say contaminated irrigation water can transfer cyclospora to fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs.

Symptoms usually begin about one week after exposure, which can make it difficult for investigators to determine the original source of an outbreak.

Thousands of cyclosporiasis cases have been reported across the United States this summer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to investigate the outbreak, but a specific source has not yet been identified.

Maryland health officials said cases tend to increase during the warmer months, particularly between May 1 and Aug. 31.

The state confirmed 128 cases of cyclosporiasis in 2025, including 18 reported between May 1 and July 7. In 2024, Maryland recorded 204 cases, with 19 reported during the same period.

Thursday and Friday will bring a difficult combination of intense heat, high humidity and poor air quality across much of Maryland.

Although temperatures are expected to ease slightly Friday, air quality conditions will worsen to Code Red levels. Canadian wildfire smoke could continue affecting the region into the weekend, even as temperatures begin to fall.

Forecasters report that Thursday will remain hot and humid, with afternoon temperatures reaching the mid to upper 90s. The humidity will make it feel between 100 and 105 degrees in some areas.

An isolated thunderstorm could develop during the afternoon or evening, but widespread rain is not expected.

Residents are encouraged to take precautions during the extreme heat. Spend time indoors in air conditioning, drink plenty of water and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day. People should also check on children, older adults, pets and anyone with a medical condition.

Air quality alerts are in effect Thursday for much of Maryland due to elevated levels of ground-level ozone and smoke from Canadian wildfires.

Conditions are expected to worsen Thursday night into Friday as a thicker and more widespread plume of wildfire smoke moves into the region. Smoke currently higher in the atmosphere is expected to move closer to the surface, creating potentially hazardous breathing conditions.

People with asthma, respiratory illnesses and other health conditions may be especially vulnerable. However, Code Red air quality means conditions could be unhealthy for everyone.

Friday will be slightly cooler, with highs in the low to mid-90s.

The weekend will remain warm and very humid, with strong to severe thunderstorms possible Saturday afternoon and evening.

Some storms could produce damaging wind gusts, frequent lightning and torrential rainfall. Heavy downpours could also lead to isolated flash flooding and other weather-related disruptions.

Temperatures are expected to reach the upper 80s to around 90 degrees away from thunderstorms, although the humidity will make it feel hotter.

Sunday could bring a few isolated or scattered showers and thunderstorms, but conditions are currently expected to be drier and more comfortable than Saturday.

Residents should continue monitoring updated forecasts as Maryland faces several days of dangerous heat, unhealthy air quality and the potential for severe weekend storms.

Baltimore is packed with concerts, festivals, comedy shows and family-friendly activities this weekend. Whether you’re looking to enjoy live music along the waterfront, explore a local market or laugh the night away, there are plenty of events happening across the area from Friday, July 17, through Sunday, July 19.

The 2026 ESPYS doubled as the perfect date night for several of our favorite Black celebrity couples. Pairs including Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens, Jordyn Woods and Karl-Anthony Towns, and Steph and Ayesha Curry ruled the red carpet.

The couples gave us style and coordinated couture. Each look reminded us why we love seeing Black love step onto a red carpet.

2026 ESPYS: Simone Biles And Jonathan Owens Look TF Good Together In Brown & Gold

Simone and Jonathan were among the first couples we saw arrive. The two wore coordinating brown and champagne shades that complemented each other and their melanin.

Simone gave us 100% glamour girl. The decorated gymnast wore a champagne-colored gown with a corseted, strapless bodice. Its exaggerated high-low skirt brought volume and movement. She added a diamond choker and styled her hair with a deep side part and long curls.

Jonathan matched her fly in a chocolate-brown suit with satin lapels and a statement brooch. The cropped jacket fit his NFL frame perfectly and made us take a second look. Jonathan took a fashion risk and looked swaggy while doing it.

Jordyn Woods And Karl-Anthony Towns Bring Glitz And Glamour In Designers We Love

Jordyn and Karl-Anthony also took our breath away. The couple’s appearance follows a heavy press run celebrating the New York Knicks’ historic NBA Finals win. Many fans credited the victory to Jordyn’s lucky orange ostrich bag.

Karl-Anthony wore a tailored black Gucci tuxedo and kept his look classic, while Jordyn brought all the glitz and glamour.

Styled by Jason Rembert, Jordyn wore a sleeveless Oscar de la Renta gown covered in cascading gold chains. She accessorized with Bucherer Fine Jewellery and pieces from Material Good.

Her hair was styled in a half-up, half-down look, one of her frequent choices for red-carpet moments. The style highlighted her cheekbones while the long, wavy blonde ends brought a sexy finish.

Style Gallery: The Top Celebrity Fashion Moments From The 2026 ESPYS

Held on July 15, the ESPYS give us an opportunity to see some of the world’s top athletes outside their athletic gear and uniforms.

The night brings sports and style together, leaving us with plenty of looks to discuss. This year’s carpet included coordinated couples, fringe gowns, sharp suits and major jewelry.

Keep swiping for more of our favorite celebrity looks from the 2026 ESPYS.

When Beyoncé stepped onstage during Jay-Z’s Yankee Stadium show wearing a pair of crystal-embellished Timberland stilettos, the internet immediately went into detective mode. The dazzling boots, part of the Jimmy Choo x Timberland collaboration facilitated through Harlem’s Fashion Row, were an instant fashion moment. But as it turns out, the story behind the fly boots is even more beautiful than the shoes themselves.

After the performance, Harlem’s Fashion Row founder Brandice Daniel took to Instagram to reflect on the years-long journey that led to the beautiful collaboration and to encourage her followers to pursue the dreams that scare them most. She told the story of being contacted about the collaboration, and of listening to her intuition when choosing the designer for the project. Daniel also reminded aspiring creatives that their dreams are often bigger than themselves, and that taking the leap, even when fear is present, can create opportunities far beyond what they initially imagined.

“If I could say anything to anybody, your dream is much bigger than you…and you don’t know where it is going to go,” the entrepreneur emphasized in her video. “So, go for the thing, do the thing, don’t be afraid.” Daniel went on to thank Bey and her team for choosing to represent a Black designer on such a huge platform.

The Black Fashion Story Behind Beyoncé’s Crystal Timberland Boots

The collection was created by designer Shanelle Campbell, who revealed that Daniel first invited her to the project years ago. On her Instagram, Campbell wrote that designing a collection that merged Jimmy Choo’s luxury aesthetic with Timberland’s iconic work boot felt deeply personal. “As a Black girl born and raised in the Bronx, I felt completely prepared for the project,” she wrote. “I knew the impact of a Jimmy Choo because I snuck glimpses of Sex and the City while my mom watched before she shooed me away. I knew the impact of the classic Timberland 6-inch boot because I watched my older sister style her Timbs for school.”

Drawing inspiration from style icons like Kelis, Mary J. Blige, Lil’ Kim, and Beyoncé, Campbell created mood boards rooted in early-2000s fashion. She even referenced the pointed-toe Timberland-inspired stiletto Beyoncé famously wore in the “’03 Bonnie & Clyde” video, adding that she wanted her design to pay tribute to both fashion history and hip-hop culture.

Beyoncé’s styling team has long been intentional about spotlighting Black designers, consistently using fashion as a platform to celebrate Black creativity on some of the world’s biggest stages. This latest look is no exception. By stepping out in Shanelle Campbell’s crystal-covered Timberland boots, Beyoncé fashionably amplified a story of talent, representation, and a Black designer whose childhood inspiration ultimately came full circle.

Daphne Joy is opening up about the emotional scars left by past relationships and why an unexpected connection with DJ Akademiks has helped her look at love a little differently.

Disney+ has announced that the animated revival will conclude with its fourth and final season on July 29 ahead of the franchise’s 25th anniversary. The streamer also announced that A Proud Family Wizmas, a stop-motion holiday special, is set to debut later this year.

The news comes as creators Bruce W. Smith and Ralph Farquhar have renewed their overall deal with Disney Television Animation, where they will continue to develop and produce projects under their BaR Productions banner.

According to Smith and Farquhar, The Proud Family has stood the test of time by remaining true to the community that inspired it.

“I think the one thing we like to do in The Proud Family is keep it real,” Farquhar told BOSSIP. “It’s based on our shared experiences as Black and Brown folks. Between Bruce and our writing staff and our directors, you see it all reflected in there.”

Smith echoed that sentiment, saying the creative team intentionally grounds the animated series in easily recognizable (Blackity, Black) cultural moments.

“We make it a point to keep it real by having those really Black touchstones that let you know this is written from a real place,” he said. “Even though it’s animated and fantastical, it’s grounded in a way where anybody can relate to it.”

That same creative philosophy extended beyond the stories themselves. It also shaped one of the franchise’s most enduring signatures, its iconic theme song.

Performed by Solange with backing vocals from Destiny’s Child, the instantly recognizable anthem has become synonymous with The Proud Family, remaining a fan favorite nearly 25 years after its debut. According to Farquhar, however, not everyone initially believed it sounded like a television theme song.

“When we first heard the song and presented it to Disney, everybody wasn’t quite on board right away,” Farquhar recalled. “One of the quotes was, ‘This is not a TV theme song.’ Like we always do, we ignored the noise.”

For Smith, that skepticism only reinforced the team’s confidence.

“Anytime we get a note that is against our instinct, we know, ‘Oh, this is going to work really well because they don’t get it,'” he said. “I gotta give it a shout-out. It did an amazing job and stood up to the test of time. Twenty-five years later, people are still loving it.”

A press release reports that season 4 of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder finds Penny Proud facing a life-changing turning point as she embarks on unexpected adventures that test both her courage and identity.

Disney says the final chapter will feature bigger action, more emotional twists, and new challenges for the Proud family as they navigate life’s next phase together.

The series also continues with the same core cast that helped make the original Disney Channel series a cultural touchstone more than two decades ago, including Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson, Paula Jai Parker, JoMarie Payton, Cedric the Entertainer, Karen Malina White, Soleil Moon Frye, Alisa Reyes, and Carlos Mencia.

According to Smith, keeping Pratt in the lead role has been essential to the show’s enduring success.

“Penny Proud is The Proud Family. Without her, we absolutely have nothing,” Smith said. “Kyla is such a great actress. Give her a script and let her go because she surprises us. She brings emotion and humor to the page that we wouldn’t have even imagined.”

The fourth season also welcomes an impressive lineup of guest stars, including Mariah Carey, Chloe Bailey, Romany Malco, Lorraine Toussaint, Kym Whitley, Adele Givens, Ali Wong, Lashana Lynch and Dee Nasty, alongside returning recurring players Anthony Anderson and Tiffany Haddish.

As for A Proud Family Wizmas, the holiday special features six original songs composed by longtime collaborator Kurt Farquhar and is produced by Disney Television Animation in partnership with Portland-based stop-motion studio HouseSpecial.

The festive special also boasts an all-star comedic cast, with Earthquake, Affion Crockett, Luenell, Lil Rel Howery, and Karlous Miller lending their voices as Santa’s elves. Rounding out the North Pole crew, J.B. Smoove stars as St. Nick himself in what creator Bruce W. Smith describes as a “wild and wacky” yet deeply heartfelt Christmas adventure.

“It’s gonna be a wild Wizmas,” his partner in crime, Ralph Farquhar, teased.

Now, as The Proud Family approaches its milestone 25th anniversary, Bruce W. Smith is reflecting on the show’s enduring legacy and the lasting impact he and Ralph Farquhar have had on generations of viewers.

“The fact that we’re still talking about it 25 years later and still contributing to the Black experience…that’s something I wouldn’t have even imagined,” Smith told BOSSIP. “The show stayed alive because people remembered it, quoted it, and kept it alive through fan art and social media. That’s how you know you’ve touched something in your community.”

All three seasons of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, along with the original The Proud Family, are now streaming on Disney+.

The fourth and final season of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder premieres July 29.

Felon Tory Lanez isn’t letting his 10-year bid behind bars stop him from giving his “umbrellas,” aka fans, new auto-tuned jams.

After two tracks leaked on the internet, leading people to wonder if they are real or AI-produced, TMZ Hip Hop shared exclusive details from sources close to the matter, confirming the Canadian musician who was found guilty of shooting Megan Thee Stallion is dropping a double album.

Lanez then hopped on social media, sharing the news about the album and sharing the artwork for the double-album project.

TMZ Hip Hop also notes that one disc will be devoted to him “rapping” while the other will focus on him “singing.”

Oh joy (insert sarcasm).

According to the celebrity gossip site, the artwork for the project, which features a man with his face wrapped in a red cloth, is a reference to the brutal prison attack he was involved in, where he claims he was stabbed 16 times by another inmate and suffered two collapsed lungs and permanent facial scarring.

Insert eye roll.

Of course, his fans are excited to hear new music from him, and others are hilariously comparing him to Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) from the hit Fox drama, Empire, who famously made a song called “Snitch Bitch” while he was locked up on the show.

Also, it says a lot that Lanez is still finding ways to make money after shooting a Black woman, and people are proudly supporting him.

That’s a whole other story.

Add this album to the list of music we WON’T be excited for.

You can see more reactions below.

Can you believe it? Republicans have finally found a diversity hire they can support!

Just two days after former senator Lindsey Graham died, South Carolina officials decided that the best-qualified person to temporarily fill his vacant seat and represent the entire state was his sister, Darline Graham Nordone. 

Now, before folks come for me about precision, I’m not trying to say that Nordone was literally hired through a DEI program. But she is the beneficiary of the kind of identity-conscious, connection-driven selection that racists falsely attribute to Black professionals in just about every labor market. So I’m intentionally inverting the right’s favorite smear and applying it to a politically connected white woman.

Nordone, who has worked as an optician and served on the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, has never held elected office, never served in Congress, and never been entrusted by voters with the task of writing federal law. But this is Trump’s America, where expertise is treated like elitism, loyalty is competence, and the résumé requirement disappears the moment the applicant is white, connected, and useful. 

And in a country where white women have long been among the biggest beneficiaries of affirmative action, workplace diversity initiatives and expanded access to institutions once reserved for white men, Nordone now offers the latest reminder that opportunity is only called “DEI” when Black folks receive it. Nevertheless, she is now one of 100 people empowered to confirm federal judges, approve Cabinet officials, vote on war, shape the federal budget, and decide policies affecting more than 340 million Americans. Her most important qualification appears to be printed directly in her name.

The appointment was promoted as a tribute to Lindsey Graham, supported by Donald Trump and structured so that none of the Republicans competing for the seat would gain the advantage of incumbency before the special election. In other words, Nordone was not selected because Republican leaders determined that she was the most accomplished person South Carolina could produce. She was selected because she is non-threatening to the party, politically convenient, personally connected, and emotionally symbolic.

If you really think about it, that sounds remarkably like the definition Republicans have spent years pretending DEI means.

For the right wing, “DEI hire” has become a substitute for the racial slurs respectable conservatives know they are no longer supposed to use in public. A Black person does not have to participate in a diversity program to receive the label. We can own the company, found the organization, earn the doctorate, publish the research, win the election, or accumulate decades of experience. The moment we enter a room conservatives believe belongs to white people, they side-eye our credentials.

The accusation is not about how somebody was hired. It is about who conservatives believe looks naturally entitled to authority.

That is why the same people who demand proof of merit from every Black professional can look at Trump’s administration and suddenly lose all interest in résumés. Trump has repeatedly elevated loyalists, television personalities, wealthy donors, relatives, and ideological performers into positions requiring deep expertise. Under his regime, the governing philosophy is not about hiring the most qualified people for the job. The most qualified people who get the job are those who serve his ego, grievances, political project, and financial grift. Just look at all his gaggle of people whose résumés were a mismatch for the power they’ve been given.

Pete Hegseth went from Fox News weekend host to running the Department of Defense. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. doesn’t have a medical or public-health degree, but he was placed in charge of the nation’s health agencies after building a national profile spreading vaccine misinformation and snorting cocaine off toilet seats. Linda McMahon’s chief preparation for leading the Department of Education was running a professional wrestling empire. Tulsi Gabbard was made director of national intelligence without ever having worked in an intelligence agency. Kash Patel was elevated to lead the FBI after establishing himself primarily as a fiercely loyal Trump operative who had never managed an organization on that scale. Even Bill Pulte was appointed acting director of national intelligence in 2026 despite having no intelligence experience. 

And sitting above this traveling circus is Trump himself, who entered the presidency in 2017 without prior military or public-office experience and then turned the White House into a family employment program that has treated the federal government as an extension of his brand, vendettas, and bank account. It’s stunning, really.  Seeing all these unqualified white loyalists put in charge of national defense, public health, education, or intelligence, and how suddenly, conservatives have discovered the importance of transferable skills.

The right’s attack on DEI has always depended on a lie that American institutions were pure meritocracies until Black people arrived and ruined them. That fantasy requires us to ignore generations of nepotism, legacy admissions, old-boy networks, political patronage, inherited wealth, donor influence, and family dynasties. America has never lacked preferential treatment. It has simply called the preference “merit” whenever white people benefited.

Even the history of affirmative action complicates the racial mythology conservatives have built around it. White women have long been among the principal beneficiaries of affirmative-action policies and workplace diversity initiatives, even as Black people became the public face of supposedly undeserved opportunity. The purpose of the insult is to transform Black achievement into evidence of corruption while allowing white advantage to remain invisible. So it shouldn’t be surprising that a dead senator’s sister has been handed a seat in Congress and introduced as public service.

To be clear, Nordone may be intelligent, decent, and perfectly capable of performing the temporary role. She should not be personally vilified because the governor appointed her. But that is precisely the point Black professionals have been making for years: capability cannot always be measured by whether someone previously held the exact same job. Republicans clearly understand that principle when it benefits one of their own.

They understand transferable experience and they understand that people can grow into positions. And since Nordone will become South Carolina’s first woman senator, the Republicans also understand that representation can carry symbolic value. They simply refuse to extend all that generosity to Black people.

So let us apply the right’s definition consistently. Darline Graham Nordone received one of the most powerful positions in the country without campaigning, winning a single vote, or accumulating legislative experience. She was chosen because of her relationship to a powerful white man, because her appointment carried symbolic value, and because Republican leaders considered her a politically convenient choice.

No, that is not what DEI actually means. But neither is a Black doctor, professor, pilot, mayor, or business owner simply existing in a position conservatives think should belong to somebody white.

Perhaps we could call Nordone’s appointment Dynastic Entitlement and Inheritance. Whatever we call it, Republicans should stop playing in our faces. They do not object to preferences, symbolism, unconventional résumés or identity-conscious selections. They only object when the people receiving opportunities are Black.

SEE ALSO:

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So, in case anyone was wondering: yes, we’re still involved in this ridiculous war in Iran.

Between President Donald Trump getting rebuked by federal judges on a near-daily basis, his Freedom 250 flop, the extrajudicial executions of civilians by ICE agents and National Guard members, and all the clear conflicts of interest that have been on display regarding the president and his family members, one could almost forget that we were still in the midst of what appears to be a ceasefire-proof conflict in the Middle East. But in case you were looking for an update, everybody is still bombing everybody, and productive negotiations still seem to be theoretical at best, but mostly non-existent.

From the Associated Press:

The United States reimposed a naval blockade on Iran and intensified its airstrike campaign Wednesday in retaliation for Tehran’s attacks on ships trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Overnight American strikes hit an Iranian army barracks, killed at least seven troops and wounded more than 260 people across the country, Iranian officials said. Later, the U.S. resumed striking Iran during daylight — an unusual move that further signaled the increasing tempo in attacks.

Days of back-and-forth strikes by the U.S. and Iran across the Middle East — and renewed threats to the waterway crucial to global energy supplies — have shredded the interim deal to end the conflict and the region could tip back into all-out war.

It should be noted that while all of this has been going on, Trump was threatening to take over the Strait of Hormuz, which he has done in the past, and even claimed the U.S. government would be charging a 20% toll on all cargo moving through it as compensation for the U.S.’s protection of the Strait, which, lest we forget, was wide open for free passage before the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran began five months ago.

“The U.S.A. will be, from this point forward, known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,’ but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World,” Trump said in a Truth Social post on Monday. He also spoke about it during a White House briefing the same day.

Well, someone must have, at some point, taken the president to the side and explained to him that that’s not how any of this works, because just one day later, Trump was saying, sike!

From the New York Times:

Mr. Trump announced his reversal in a lengthy social media post on Tuesday.

“Based on highly productive conversations with Middle East leadership, I have decided to replace the 20% United States Reimbursement Fee with Trade and Investment Deals that the various Gulf States will be making into the United States,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform.

Mr. Trump later told reporters in the Oval Office that various “kings and emirs” of Gulf allies had called him and convinced him to allow them to invest in U.S. companies instead of paying the fees, which experts said could more than double the cost of shipping oil through the strait if levied at 20 percent.

“I don’t think anybody should be able to charge a fee for the strait,” Mr. Trump said, adding that he felt his new plan was “much better.”

Yeah, I’m pretty sure what really happened is Trump found out what even his ever-loyal secretary of state, Marco Rubio, knew, which is that taking over an international waterway and charging a toll to move through it is illegal, as well as impractical and unenforceable, especially when the waterway is roughly 7,500 miles away from the country you actually run.

Before Trump began walking back his tough talk about taking over the Strait and how the price of a brick is going up, regarding international passage through it, he began making the media rounds, telling reporters that Iran better make a deal with the U.S. or else he would bomb the nation into oblivion, which, as we all know, he has been threatening for months now.

“We’re going to hit them very hard tonight, and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow — and there’s not a damn thing they can do about it,” Trump said Monday. “They have nothing. They have nothing going other than they have big mouths.”

Trump is the only president in recent history who woul would call into a news station and start talking about acts of war like he was promoting a boxing match on Pay-Per-View.

And in case you think I’m exaggerating, here he is literally comparing his war to a boxing match.

Of course, on Wednesday, when reporters asked him about his threats to begin bombing major bridges in Iran, and if he was “giving Iran a deadline” before he begins that bombing campaign, Trump responded, “I don’t like giving deadlines, but they pretty much know — they know the story. They better behave.”

Trump doesn’t like to give deadlines? He is literally the biggest deliverer of two-week post-dated threats that any world leader has ever had to deal with. He’s been claiming Iran will “no longer have a country” if they don’t submit to U.S. demands for a smooth three months and counting now.

Meanwhile, the world, including our own Congress, just wants it all to end.

SEE ALSO:

Trump Iran ‘Update’ Was All Lies, Self-Gratification With No Substance

If Peace Negotiations Are Going Well, Why Is Trump Still Threatening Iran?

Are Donald Trump’s Statements, Social Media Posts Prolonging The Iran War?

It’s been nearly a decade since the scathing comment made by Fox News journalist Laura Ingraham in reference to NBA stars LeBron James and Kevin Durant, in which she told the two to “shut up and dribble” due to their comments on political matters at the time.

It made for quite an uproar back in 2018, and in 2026 players are still fighting against the polarizing statement as they deal with their own run-ins with racism. Recently, four-time WNBA champion Chelsea Gray made reference to Ingraham’s infamous quote in sharing a message one racist online troll sent her following last Sunday’s matchup between her Las Vegas Aces squad and the Indiana Fever.

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“People act like we just make this shit up,” Gray wrote candidly in an Instagram Story posted earlier this week (seen above), making her point clear by adding, “And the audacity to tell us as athletes to ‘shut up and dribble.'” The comment derives from physical contact made between Gray and the Fever’s viral star player, Caitlin Clark, during the aforementioned game on July 13. As Clark, 24, at one point went to block Gray, 33, a foul was called on the former while simultaneously resulting in an elbow to the stomach by the latter. Even with Clark’s protests, the call was upheld as a common foul. Even as the Fever took home an impressive 109-75 win, Gray still had to experience the double whammy of also being called The N-Word.

Many recalled a recent incident, also involving Caitlin Clark, where Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas spoke out on the digital attacks she received in the days following her one-game suspension on June 24 for a foul on Clark, where pressure was put on her neck. Although Thomas assured it was simply an accident, it didn’t stop critics from calling her everything from a “thug” to some making actual death threats.

In Gray’s case, the man who sent the racist message has reportedly been fired by his employer, Hilton Grand Vacations. A statement released by the company yesterday (July 14) reads in part, “The person responsible for posting this information is no longer with the company,” also adding, “His behavior was in violation of multiple company policies and does not reflect our company’s values in any way.”

While a collective bargaining agreement was made between players and the WNBA back in March of this year — enhanced security, tech support, enforced code of conduct on fans and protection through anti-hate campaigns are all part of the bill — athletes and supporters alike believe more can and should be done.

For what it’s worth, the Las Vegas Aces are standing strong behind their girl.

Take a look below at conversations happening over on social media in reaction to the recent situation involving Chelsea Gray:

1. Freedom of speech has never meant freedom from consequences

via @justclips001

The Atlanta legend revealed that his upcoming album, Kill The King, will officially be his last, serving as both a farewell to fans and a thank you for a journey that exceeded his wildest dreams.

“I’ve gotten everything I prayed for from the game,” T.I. told People magazine.

While the announcement may surprise some fans, Tip says this decision has been years in the making. The rapper also admitted to the publication that he’s quietly been enjoying retirement since the pandemic, choosing family and peace over the nonstop grind of the music industry.

“So I had been living a retired life for some time, probably since the pandemic. I just kind of got used to being home and being around, and I just didn’t want to do so much, for lack of better words, work.”

Rather than disappearing without explanation, T.I. felt his supporters deserved a proper goodbye.

“I don’t think that I could just disappear all of a sudden and nobody know why I’ve never put nothing out [again]. So I think that to have a project and say, ‘Hey man, this is it. Thank you for all the love and support.’ I’ll catch y’all on the flip side.”

The album title itself carries an even deeper meaning.

Long before T.I. embraced the title of King of the South, he sought advice and blessings from Atlanta’s rap pioneers. One conversation with fellow Atlanta icon Big Boi stayed with him throughout his entire career.

“Big Boi said, ‘Just understand you going to put a bullseye on your back. You going to put a bullseye on your back and ain’t nobody going to be looking to do no favors for you,'” he recalled to People. “He said, ‘Chess is a game of life. The game of the game in chess is to kill the king.’ And at that moment, I knew that that would be the title of my last album.”

For T.I., walking away isn’t about giving up. It’s about recognizing when you’ve accomplished everything you set out to do.

Being able to retire while still young enough to truly enjoy the fruits of your labor is a blessing many artists never get to experience. Instead of chasing another chart-topping hit, the rapper is embracing the opportunity to spend more time with the people who matter most.

T.I. shares seven children with his Grammy Award-winning wife, Tiny Harris, including Zonnique, Messiah, Domani, Deyjah, King, Major, and Heiress. As his children have grown older and started families and careers of their own, and those moments together have become even more meaningful.

“It’s always great when I get all the kids and everybody together at one time, because when they move out of the house, they have their own lives. They’re doing all their ripping and running.”

In the interview he noted that he’s ready to pass the torch to sons King and Domani, who are both following in his Hip-Hop footsteps.

“I still enjoy recording and performing but I think maybe because my sons and stuff are getting so much older and they entering into the business and it just feel like, man, I’ve gotten everything I prayed for, man, from the game.”

As the interview made its rounds, T.I. also took to Instagram to send a shoutout to his wife Tiny, delightedly declaring her the “apple of his eye.”

Whether you’ve been rocking with T.I. since I’m Serious or still have King and Paper Trail in rotation, Kill The King looks to be the Atlanta rapper’s way of saying thank you before closing the curtain on the rap game. And honestly, after decades of hit records, business moves, and raising a big family, Tip has earned the right to kick back and enjoy retirement on his own terms.

A debate older than time: is a hot dog a sandwich? Both sides, of course, have their own arguments. Some argue that, by definition, a sandwich is “two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between.” Since a hot dog is a split roll, it is, by definition, considered a sandwich.

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On the other hand, the other side argues that a hot dog is not a sandwich and is in a league of its own. They argue that a sandwich typically has two separate pieces of bread, and the orientation of a sandwich is different than a hot dog.

But no matter which side of the argument you are on, today is the day to reaffirm your decision and do some research in honor of July 15th National Hot Dog Day. July is also National Hot Dog Month. 

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Be sure you celebrate National Hotdog day & month with these resturants that are offering food deals and limited time offeres.

Teyana Taylor did her big one on JAŸ-Z’s final night at Yankee Stadium.

Following her performance, the Harlem native took to social media to thank Hov for the opportunity, sharing a collage of photos recapping her night on stage.

“Gratitude was louder than any mic could ever be. I got to see this lil Harlem girl stand beside the GOAT … in Yankee Stadium … in front of over 40,000 people who showed so much love. If you would’ve told this lil Harlem girl that one day she’d share a stage with JAY-Z in one of the most iconic stadiums in the world … she would’ve never believed you.” 

The moment marked yet another full-circle for Teyana, whose career has been decorated with many wins. She continued, “Father God has a funny way of reminding you just how far you’ve come.”

Ending things off with a heartfelt message to Hov, Taylor wrote,“Jay… THANK YOU @jayz for allowing me to be a part of such an iconic night. Thank you for the opportunity, the trust and the honor. I’ll never take moments like this for granted & I’ll carry this one with me forever. Happy 30th anniversary to the albums that changed the culture forever.”

Alongside JAŸ-Z, fan spent the weekend celebrating the 30th anniversary of Reasonable Doubt and the 25th anniversary of The Blueprint, making Taylor’s appearance one of many memorable moments from the historic Yankee Stadium weekend.

On Wednesday, Rev. Al Sharpton, Martin Luther King III, and Arndrea Waters ​King announced plans to have another March on Washington in August to defend voting rights. 

NBC News reports that a coalition led by Sharpton’s National Action Network and several other labor and civil rights groups will host the March on Washington 2026: Defend the ​Vote march on Aug. 28. That date is notable as it marks the 63rd anniversary of the first March on Washington, where Dr. Martin Luther King gave his “I Have A Dream” speech. 

In addition to NAN, the American Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Government Employees, the NAACP, the National Council of Negro Women, the National Urban League, the League of ⁠United Latin ​American Citizens, and the Working Families Party are all confirmed to participate in the March.

Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, is also confirmed to attend, with other caucus members expected to join her. In a press release, NAN said the March on Washington 2026 is focused on three core goals: defending voting rights, securing economic dignity, and ensuring affordability for everyday people. 

“Defending ⁠the vote means defending the foundation of our democracy,” Martin Luther King III said in a statement. “Sixty-three years after my father stood at the ​Lincoln Memorial, we are called to march again, not only in remembrance, ​but in ⁠action.”

“The March on Washington 2026 is a moral call to protect democracy for every generation. We march to defend the vote, honor those who sacrificed for it, and ensure that every voice is protected,” Arndrea Waters King said in a statement. 

While the march is intended to honor King’s legacy, it was organized in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to gut Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Section 2 was enacted to prevent states from drawing congressional maps that are racially gerrymandered. Sharpton has called that decision “a ⁠bullet in the heart of the voting rights movement.” 

He’s not wrong. In the months following the Supreme Court’s decision, several southern states moved to pass congressional maps that eliminated majority Black districts and essentially diluted Black voting power. In Tennessee, Republican state legislators could be seen laughing in protesters’ faces as they passed a map killing the state’s only majority-Black district. 

In addition to blatantly racist congressional maps, President Donald Trump has continually tried to place restrictions on voting. Trump tried and failed to convince Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which would have required proof of citizenship to register to vote and imposed significant restrictions on mail-in voting. 

When that bill didn’t pass, Trump decided to take matters into his own hands and issued an executive order requiring states to send sensitive voter data to the federal government and preventing mail-in ballots from being counted in states that refused. Luckily, several federal judges have blocked nearly every aspect of the executive order, but that still hasn’t stopped Trump from trying to sow doubt in the upcoming midterm elections. 

Republicans would rather disenfranchise Black people to win elections instead of passing any kind of legislation that addresses the nation’s mounting affordability crisis. 

SEE ALSO:

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Before streaming and on-demand TV, Saturday mornings were the perfect time to catch reruns of your favorite sitcoms. Whether you were eating a bowl of cereal, helping clean the house, or just relaxing before the day’s plans, these shows became part of the weekend routine.

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From unforgettable catchphrases and lovable characters to stories that celebrated Black families, friendships, and everyday life, these sitcoms delivered laughs and life lessons that still resonate today. Here’s a look back at 20 classic Black sitcoms that made the ’90s one of the greatest eras in television.

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The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Will Smith’s breakout sitcom became a Saturday morning favorite in syndication. A street-smart teen from West Philadelphia moves in with his wealthy relatives in Bel-Air after getting into trouble back home. The series blended hilarious comedy with heartfelt moments while tackling topics like race, family, and identity.

Brandy is turning criticism into compassion.

After a flood of comments dissected her appearance following a hometown celebration in McComb, Mississippi, Brandy is explaining why she classily chose to confront the body-shaming head-on.

As previously reported, several fans expressed “concern” over her noticeably slimmer appearance, prompting speculation about her health, and countless comments dissecting her body. Instead of letting the rumors continue unchecked, Brandy shared a lengthy open letter on Instagram that quickly resonated with thousands of supporters.

In her post, Brandy challenged the way social media often defines beauty, writing that people have been searching for it in “youth,” “perfection,” and “approval,” instead of embracing the reality that life changes everyone. She argued that every season of life leaves its mark, and that those changes shouldn’t be viewed as flaws.

“I’ve learned that it takes only a moment to form an opinion about someone’s appearance, and a lifetime to understand what they’ve lived through,” she wrote. “So may we become gentler with one another. Not because everyone is fragile, but because everyone is carrying a story we cannot see.”

On Tuesday (July 14), Brandy also explained why she felt compelled to say something publicly. Speaking with E! News, she said she wanted to remind people that they rarely know what someone else is going through before commenting on their appearance.

“I didn’t appreciate that,” Brandy told E! News’ Will Marfuggi during a joint interview with her Descendants costars Rita Ora and Leonardo Nam. “I didn’t love the way that made me feel.”

Her hope, she explained, is that people become more intentional with their words because every person carries experiences and struggles that aren’t immediately visible

“I thought about how everyone feels if someone comments about their appearance or anything like that,” she continued. “And I took the moment and decided to share in a teaching way to just encourage people and to inspire people to just be gentle with each other.”

The timing of the discussion also comes as Brandy enjoys one of the biggest career resurgences of recent years. Following her Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, the release of her memoir, her appearance at Essence Festival, and her return as Cinderella in Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, she’s been back in the public eye more than she has been in years. That renewed visibility has also brought renewed criticism—but Brandy made it clear that she isn’t interested in letting strangers define her worth.

Ultimately, Brandy’s response became about much more than shutting down body shamers. It was a reminder that celebrities aren’t immune to online criticism and that compassion costs nothing. Instead of fueling another social media feud, she used the moment to encourage kindness, reminding people that while appearances may change, a person’s value has never been determined by what others see on the surface.

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A former Hilton Grand Vacations employee is finding out the hard way that racist behavior can cost you more than your reputation—it can cost you your job.

The company confirmed Tuesday that it fired the employee after he allegedly sent a racist direct message to Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray following her team’s lopsided 109-75 loss to the Indiana Fever on Sunday. Gray shared a screenshot of the message on Instagram, revealing that the man had called her a racial slur after the game, ESPN reports.

The screenshot reportedly showed that the man’s message read “You suck a-s ugly a-s n-gger.”

Hilton Grand Vacations moved quickly once the message became public.

“The person responsible for posting this information is no longer with the company,” the company said in a statement. “His behavior was in violation of multiple company policies and does not reflect our company’s values in any way.”

While the man apparently believed he could spew racist abuse from behind a keyboard without consequences, his employer clearly disagreed. Instead of waking up to another workday, he woke up unemployed—a reminder that social media isn’t consequence-free.

Gray used the incident to highlight the growing abuse WNBA players continue to face online.

“People act like we just make this sh-t up,” she wrote on Instagram. “And the audacity to tell us as athletes to ‘shut up and dribble.'”

Unfortunately, Gray’s experience isn’t an isolated incident. Just two weeks earlier, Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas revealed she had received death threats and racist messages after serving a one-game suspension stemming from a physical altercation with Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark. Thomas publicly criticized WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert, saying the league has not done enough to protect its players from escalating harassment.

The issue has become serious enough that the WNBA and the players’ union included enhanced security measures, stronger technological support, expanded mental health resources, tougher fan conduct policies and an anti-hate initiative in their new collective bargaining agreement reached earlier this year.

“We’re so concerned about the safety on the court, but time and time again, we’re having people threaten our lives,” Thomas said after the incident. “Leaking addresses out there. Putting crazy pictures that have nothing to do with basketball. It’s really unacceptable. It’s something that needs to change in this league, and I’m just really sick and tired of it.”

Gray’s experience is another reminder that while athletes may be public figures, they are not public punching bags. And for at least one person, racism carried an immediate consequence that extended far beyond a deleted social media account.

Listeners for The Ebro, Laura, Rosenberg Show on Tuesday (July 14) were shocked as a debate over investments turned into a heated argument betwwen Ebro and Peter Rosenberg, with Ebro calling Rosenberg “b—h, a “hoe,” and a “p—y” at the most explosive juncture of the debate. 

When we think of the music mocumentary, we mostly think of This Is Spinal Tap or A Mighty Wind. In Black culture, we’re familiar with some cult classics like CB4 and Fear of a Black Hat. However, there is one particular piece that doesn’t really get enough flowers from the culture at large.

Yes, folks, I’m talking about Jackie’s Back!

The 1999 Lifetime film stars Hollywood icon Jenifer Lewis as the delightfully delulu Jackie Washington, a washed-up soul singer looking to stage a comeback. While it is one of the lesser-known black mocumentaries to exist, it has developed a cult following over the years.

And since today is “Jackie Washington Day,” (which, of course, is not a real holiday), here are some facts. These facts pretty much sum up the whole experience.

When it comes to economics in 2026 something we all know and have experienced is nationwide inflation, however, the burden of inflation is less in some states that others.

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The cost of living is important when companies decided where to do business, low cost living helps then attract workers, it also means they may be able to pay their employees less because the cost of living is less and allowing the company to save on wage cost.

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CNBC rate states based on an index of prices for a broad range of goods and services calculated by the council for community and economic research. They also consider housing affordability both for home owners and renters. 

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Some states are way more expensive than others but in these following states, the cost of living is more bearable, check out americas cheapest states in 2026.

Louis Vuitton has made sure soccer’s ultimate prize will arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final on July 19 in championship-level style.