Greene County Democrat

Category: Newswire

  • Newswire: SCOTUS Callais Decision Delivers Major Blow To Black Voting Rights

    Newswire: SCOTUS Callais Decision Delivers Major Blow To Black Voting Rights

    Above, Janai Nelson, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, speaking at a “Fight for Fair Maps” rally.

    by Anoa Changa-Peck, NewsOne

    For months, voting rights advocates have warned that the Supreme Court would use its decision in Louisiana v. Callais to strip away Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, further eroding freedom. 

    And they were right. 

    Decided along ideological lines, Wednesday’s 6-3 decision blocked a Black-majority congressional district in Louisiana just weeks before voters head to the polls. A second Black-majority congressional district was created after voters and organizers fought for fair representation after the 2020 Census. 

    As NewsOne previously reported, Wednesday’s decision comes after the Supreme Court gave an anti-voting rights group a second chance to make its case. Originally heard in March, 2025, the case was rescheduled for rehearing in October, giving opponents of fair maps more time to invent reasons to deny Black voter power. 

    The majority opinion attempts to narrowly tailor the case to Louisiana only. Instead, by many accounts, Callais aids the Republican plan to lock up power for the next generation. 

    Joel Payne, spokesperson for MoveOn Civic Action, said the Court’s decision gave Republicans the green light to continue Trump’s “desperate power grab.”

     “Suppressing voters is another way for Trump and Republicans to rig the system so they can keep stacking the deck for billionaires and the Epstein class and avoid accountability for their failed leadership,” Payne said in a statement. “MoveOn members will fight this naked MAGA power play to hoard more power and wealth for themselves and the billionaires that fund their campaigns.” 

    Almost immediately after the Callais‘release, Florida House Republicans passed an even more extreme gerrymander than the state’s current congressional map. In many ways, Florida’s move is a replay of the aftermath of the 2023 decision Shelby County v. Holder, when Texas and North Carolina rushed to pass racially discriminatory laws previously blocked under the Voting Rights Act. 

    Pro-democracy advocates have consistently stressed the need for full voting rights and fair maps to ensure communities have a say in the issues impacting their lives. Affordable housing, healthcare access, the cost of living, gun safety, and fundamental fairness require leadership that listens to and considers people’s needs. 

    Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, highlighted the importance of educators being committed to basic values of fairness and equity as a part of teaching responsible citizenship. 

    “People died to protect and advance this right,” Pringle said in a statement. “The reason we have voting rights laws in America is to remedy discrimination against voters of color. If the Supreme Court does not recognize the need to continue upholding this basic value of one person, one vote, then Congress must stop stalling and pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.”

  • Newswire: Identity Theft Protection is No Longer Optional for Any American

    Newswire: Identity Theft Protection is No Longer Optional for Any American

    by BlackPressUsa

    If you want your data to be secure in the digital age, identity theft protection should be a top concern. Some of the most effective methods to protect personal information include using a password manager, multi-factor authentication, and more.

    Have you ever received a suspicious email asking for personal information? Do you find yourself constantly getting notices about data breaches for stores or companies you’ve frequented? Both of these are common gateways for identity theft, which is why it is more important than ever to proactively secure your information. 

    Identity Theft Statistics

    According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), there has been a significant uptick in scammers stealing millions of dollars from unsuspecting victims, primarily elderly individuals. The fraudsters impersonated government agents to obtain the information, a scenario that is unfortunately becoming more common.

    The key to these attacks is emotional manipulation. Callers typically inform recipients that their information has been stolen or their bank account has been hacked, which ironically, prompts them to hand over the necessary information.

    As technology progresses, identity theft cases are likely to become more common, and with more sophisticated attack methods, they may be harder to combat.

    What Is the Very Best Identity Theft Protection?

    Identity theft protection works best using a layered technique. Multiple methods will prevent incidents better than a single security measure. Here are some of the most effective ways that you can engage in online fraud prevention.

    Use Multi-Factor Authentication

    If you’ve ever logged into an app or a website and received a code or verification pop-up, then you have successfully used multi-factor authentication. Essentially, it is an additional roadblock that prevents users from logging into your accounts unless they have an additional code or link. The information is usually sent to a secure personal account that the scammer won’t be able to access. 

    Utilize a Password Manager

    It may seem convenient to use the same password over and over again, but it is a recipe for disaster if you end up suffering from identity theft. Create strong, complex passwords for all of your accounts, and use a password manager to track them securely.

    Most password managers require a master password and additional verification steps to access the information. They can also generate randomized, secure passwords for you to use.

    Review Credit Reports

    Rather than just checking your credit score, look at the details of your credit reports, especially if there is a significant drop with no explanation. Verify that all of the accounts on your credit report belong to you.

    Check Bank and Credit Card Activity

    Look through all of your credit card and bank transactions every month and confirm their accuracy. Double-check unfamiliar vendors to see if places you shopped go by different names. Contact companies if you see suspicious transactions.

    Take Advantage of ID Verification

    ID verification involves submitting a picture ID and other personal information to confirm your identity online. One of the best ID verification tips is to enable it when offered as an extra security measure, so scammers have a harder time accessing your personal information.

    What Is the First Thing You Should Do If Your Identity Is Stolen?

    While identity theft can be overwhelming, it is crucial to take action as soon as you find out that your information has been compromised. The first thing to do is get in touch with one of the three credit bureaus to notify them of a fraud alert. 

    Placing a fraud alert on your accounts will freeze your credit and prevent any damaging charges from affecting your score until the issue is resolved. Next, contact your banking and credit institutions to freeze those accounts, if possible.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is Artificial Intelligence Influencing Identity Theft?

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping the world in many different ways, and identity theft continues to evolve as a result. In the age of AI, according to the World Economic Forum, the technology can have both positive and negative impacts on keeping your data secure.

    Companies may be able to use AI software to identify phishing attacks and fraud much more easily than existing solutions. They can then take proactive steps to prevent these types of intrusions in the future.

    However, some troubling trends are emerging in the AI space concerning impersonation. As AI models become more sophisticated, they can easily replicate the tone and mannerisms of real people, which may tempt users to convey personal information. 

    Is It Possible to Protect Your Personal Information in a Data Breach?

    While the initial data breach is often out of your control, there are steps you can take immediately after you learn about the incident. Start by changing your login information to the associated company or website.

    Once you change your login information, enable two-factor or multi-factor authentication if it is available. Use an authentication app on your phone or set your account up to receive a code through email or text message. Hackers will face an additional roadblock when trying to access your accounts.

    If you know that your bank accounts or credit cards may be vulnerable, contact the bank or credit card company and put a temporary freeze on your accounts. Use cash or a different card in the meantime to avoid unauthorized activity from outside parties.

    Which Demographics Are Most Vulnerable to Identity Theft?

    No individual is immune to identity theft, but certain demographics are more likely to fall for scams. Elderly individuals often fall prey to these types of crimes because they usually have a limited understanding of technology and don’t know the telltale signs of fraud.

    Children are also more likely to expose personal information that leads to identity theft. Younger individuals may not understand the harm of entering sensitive data into unsecured websites, which can lead to troubling consequences down the road.

    Protect Your Personal Information From Identity Theft

    Identity theft protection isn’t just optional in 2026; it’s essential. With new threats emerging every day, it is important to stay on top of the latest scams and understand how you can best fortify your data against nefarious actors.

    Would you like to learn more about how you can protect yourself in a digital environment? Take a look around our site for more security tips and tricks.

  • Newswire: How To Care For The Environment Beyond Earth Day

    Newswire: How To Care For The Environment Beyond Earth Day

    black woman in agriculture

    by Ahsan Washington, Black Enterprise

    Annually, Earth Day brings significant awareness around environmental sustainability. However, specialists stress that true environmental change requires more than a yearly call to action, it calls for a shift in mindset and continuous daily practices. 

    Protecting the planet demands ongoing work from individual and community participation, and policy impact across various social levels. A great way to kickstart environmental change is understanding how environmental responsibility extends beyond one day. 

    Reduce Waste and Embrace Reusability

    Adopt reusable practices and reduce waste to decrease your environmental footprint. Use reusable items consistently across your home, workplace, and shopping activities. Implement the “reduce, reuse, recycle” model to conserve natural resources and decrease landfill waste and pollution.

    Cut Energy Consumption at Home and Work

    Reducing environmental damage through energy conservation depends on homeowners, renters, and employees. Regular actions, such as disconnecting unused electronics and using energy-efficient appliances, are essential. Properly managing heating and cooling systems in both residential and professional settings also reduces unnecessary electricity consumption.

    The primary objective is to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and reduce pressure on energy infrastructure to fight climate change. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, building energy efficiency improvements represent the quickest and most economical method to decrease emissions.

    Rethink Transportation and The Impact on the Environment

    The public must change travel habits by choosing public transit, biking, walking or carpooling instead of using single-occupancy vehicles for daily commutes. Transportation produces a large portion of greenhouse gas emissions, and vehicle emissions dominate urban and suburban areas. The U.S. Department of Transportation states that cutting vehicle miles traveled produces immediate benefits for air quality.

    Support Sustainable Consumption and Local Economies

    Environmental health depends on consumers supporting sustainability by choosing eco-friendly products and local goods with minimal packaging. These behaviors should be regular habits rather than seasonal choices. As demand for sustainable products grows, companies are pressured to transform production methods and decrease their environmental impact. The Natural Resources Defense Council states that intentional consumer behavior creates systemic transformations in manufacturing and supply chains.

    Engage in Community and Environmental Education

    Community members, educators, and local leaders are encouraged to participate in environmental education programs, including annual cleanups, workshops, and public discussions. These activities occur in neighborhood spaces, schools, and digital platforms to educate the public about pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss. This engagement is vital because it expands individual contributions through shared responsibility and informed decision-making.

    Advocate for Systemic and Policy Change

    Voters, activists, and organizations are pushing for environmental policies that tackle major problems through emissions regulations, conservation programs, and corporate responsibility initiatives at all levels of government. Citizens can engage in advocacy during elections, legislative sessions, and public comment periods to affect policy decisions.

    Build Long-Term Habits Beyond Earth Day

    People and organizations should move beyond single-event participation in Earth Day activities. Instead, they should adopt permanent environmental habits, such as composting, water conservation, and food waste reduction. These behaviors must become part of regular routines in residential, workplace, and community settings. While single-day initiatives produce minimal results, ongoing actions produce tangible and permanent environmental benefits.

  • Newswire: Spades, The Card Game No Executive Order Can Touch

    Newswire: Spades, The Card Game No Executive Order Can Touch

    by Melissa Rose Cooper, NewsOne

    Mel Alleyne hadn’t played spades in years. Then her sister called.

    “She was like, ‘There’s a tournament [in Brooklyn]. And you’re going to sign up for it and you can’t say no,’” she recalled.

    Alleyne, who first learned the game at a lunch table in high school, knew exactly what was at stake at that table — socially, at least.

    “It was like you were not cool if you did not know how to play spades,” she said. “It was necessary. It was like you had to know. And you had to be good.”

    Last week, Alleyne was one of a roomful of players who gathered at Aunts et Uncles, a Black-owned vegan restaurant in Brooklyn, for The Lunch Room. The spades tournament funneled competitors through a digital qualifier on the Trickster Cards app before bringing the top 16 to a live championship night filled with music, food and the kind of energy many in the Black community have known for years.

    “Everybody that you know that’s Black pretty much has played spades, they know about spades,” said Yantise Jenkins, a member of the card club, the DMV Cardtel, who traveled to support the event. “It’s at family reunions. It’s at cookouts. Thanksgiving after everyone eats dinner and cleans up, there’s somebody pulling out the cards to play spades.”

    That cultural tradition is exactly what The Lunch Room was designed to honor — especially at a moment when Black history is under attack.

    In January 2025, President Trump signed a sweeping executive order dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs across federal agencies and institutions. In recent years, states including Florida, have moved to restrict or eliminate African American studies from public school curricula.

    Proposed federal budget cuts have also threatened funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities, two institutions that have long supported Black cultural programming nationwide. The ongoing theme is hard to ignore: the formal structures designed to protect and legitimize Black cultural life are being dismantled one policy at a time.

    What no executive order touches, however, is what gets passed down at the table.

    “It’s been done for generations. And different age groups can do it,” said Jenkins. “I was probably 8 years old when I first learned how to play.”

    Spades was never taught in a classroom. It spread through kitchen tables, rec centers and lunchrooms where the game stretched well past the bell. It has survived without institutional support because it never needed any — it moved person to person, generation to generation, in the spaces where Black people have always gathered.

    Michael Nicholas, co-owner of Aunts et Uncles, knows that story firsthand.

    “Some classes were missed and skipped because of spades games,” he laughed, “but I still graduated timely and it was cool.”

    That experience is the direct inspiration behind the tournament’s name. The restaurant, which Nicholas owns with his wife Nicole, regularly transforms into its own version of the lunchroom, hosting spades games throughout the year. To Nicholas, the game has always been about more than the cards.

    “You learn basically by sitting down and watching the family and friends getting together,” he explained. “So I feel like it’s important for us. It’s just a gathering point and a way to kind of get together, share knowledge, share space. It’s beyond a pastime.”

    That gathering point is increasingly rare. As daily life moves further online and in-person community becomes harder to sustain, events like The Lunch Room carry a different kind of weight. The tournament’s structure — starting with a digital qualifier on the Trickster Cards platform before culminating in a live event — was designed to use technology as an on-ramp, not a destination. The point was always the room.

    “Because depending on how you play and how your partner plays, you kind of like, know how to talk to each other without speaking to each other,” Nicholas said. “You can read the game, you can read the board, just by the cards.”

    For Chevy Wolf, whose agency, The Last Wolves, partnered with Trickster Cards and Aunts et Uncles to produce the event, the cultural stakes were just as clear.

    “If you grew up in Black culture, you know, spades is a part of your DNA,” Wolf said. “It’s just genetics.”

    Part of that DNA is the trash talk — the loud, sharp, loving kind that sounds like an argument to an outsider but reads as affection to anyone who grew up around it. Wolf wanted the evening to capture that, too.

    “You can still compete, but it’s all love at the end of the day. And I think that’s one of the key components we wanted to show everybody.”

    The event drew players who hadn’t touched a deck in years. It also brought people determined to make sure the game never skips a generation.

    Korey Hines, a Trickster Cards ambassador who learned to play as a kid under his Aunt Helen — a serious card player he describes as a major presence in his life — sees that work as a calling.

    “It’s actually a full circle for me,” Hines noted. “Oftentimes, generations get locked into their space and their time, and they don’t pass the torch. I feel that I was given the gift to be able to bring some people together and maybe make those transitions smoother.”

    There is something quietly radical about that mission in this particular moment. When the institutions that were supposed to hold Black history and culture are being hollowed out, the people who carry that culture in their hands — literally, in a deck of cards — become the institution.

    For the players who walked through the door that night, the significance landed personally.

    “It’s kind of nice to be able to come together and see each other and have that community,” Alleyne says.

    In a moment when the formal structures built to support and preserve Black cultural life are being systematically dismantled, that community — gathered around a card game, in a Brooklyn restaurant — is holding the line.

  • Newswire: Everything We Know About the Alleged White House Correspondents’ Shooter

    Newswire: Everything We Know About the Alleged White House Correspondents’ Shooter

    WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 25: U.S. President Trump is making a statement after the cancellation of the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner due to a possible shooting. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images) , X

    by Phenix S Halley, The Root

    The alleged gunman who tried to storm the White House Correspondents’ dinner was quickly taken into custody following the chaotic scene on Saturday (April 25). Now, more information about Cole Thomas Allen has been released. Here’s what we know.

    We previously told you President Donald Trump and all other members of his cabinet were rushed to safety following several shots fired at the Washington Hilton hotel, where the annual dinner was being held. Minutes before Allen allegedly stormed the building, he sent copies of his manifesto to several family and friends, according to reports. 

    Inside the shocking decree, the 31-year-old referred to himself as the “Cole ‘coldForce’ ‘Friendly Federal Assassin’ Allen,” before listing his targets and motivations behind the drastic attack.

    “So I may have given a lot of people a surprise today. Let me start off by apologizing to everyone whose trust I abused,” he began. “I don’t expect forgiveness, but if I could have seen any other way to get this close, I would have taken it.”

    Allen went on to explain his frustrations with the current administration and its many controversial policies. “I am a citizen of the United States of America. What my representatives do reflects on me,” he said. “And I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.”

    The Saturday attack marks at least the third assassination attempt on the president. According to Allen– who put Trump as the first on his hit list– he allegedly took action after repeatedly watching the unprecedented actions by Trump and his officials.

    “The United States of America are ruled by the law, not by any one or several people,” Allen continued. “Insofar as representatives and judges do not follow the law, no one is required to yield them anything so unlawfully ordered.”

    Originally from Torrance, Calif., Allen worked as a teacher before allegedly plotting to kill the president. LinkedIn shows he graduated from the California Institute of Technology in 2017 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He later earned a master’s degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills, in computer science in 2025.

    After working as an engineer, Allen became an independent game developer and part-time teacher. He allegedly traveled across the country days before the Saturday attack. Officials noted he did not have a criminal record before the Saturday incident, NBC News reported. Still, members of his family reportedly warned police about him way before the attack took place, according to Trump.

    The White House shared that Allen’s brother contacted police in Connecticut, after receiving his manifesto. Still, that didn’t stop Allen from rushing into the hotel building and getting extremely close to allegedly killing the president. 

    Authorities confirmed Allen is the primary and only suspect in the ongoing investigation. He was allegedly armed with a shotgun, handgun and several knives at the time of the attack. During a quick altercation with security, Allen was subdued. Trump shared surveillance footage of Allen’s dash and his arrest to social media. 

    Interestingly, Allen made note of what he called a supreme “level of incompetence” by Trump’s security and Secret Service. “I expected security cameras at every bend, bugged hotel rooms, armed agents every 10 feet, metal detectors out the wazoo,” he added. “What I got (who knows, maybe they’re pranking me!) is nothing.”

  • Newswire: Black Farmers Aren’t Waiting on Washington to Save Them

    Newswire: Black Farmers Aren’t Waiting on Washington to Save Them

    Above, Eloris Speight, former director of Alcorn’s National Policy Research Center, sits with young farmers-in-training at the conference. (Courtesy of the National Policy Research Center)

    by Aaliyah Wright, Capital B News

    SHANNON, Mississippi — What seemed like almost an empty building on a recent Saturday morning quickly filled with dozens of Black people — from retired federal employees to university officials and even education and land appraisal experts.

    They greeted one another while signing in at the Saving Rural America Small Farmers Conference. Some hugged before grabbing breakfast. Others stopped by Alcorn State University’s table, where a live broadcast took place.

    One thing all the participants and speakers had in common: They were farmers, ranchers, or worked directly with producers. Some were local to the area, located about 10 miles south of Tupelo and about 2 hours from the state capital of Jackson. Others said they drove at least three hours. Many attend the half-day conference every year, hosted by the Mississippi Minority Farmers Alliance and Coalition of Farmers.

    By 8:30 a.m., they’d all taken their seats.

    In a hyper-political climate where resources and support to help farmers have dwindled, this group didn’t focus on the challenges brought on by the Trump administration’s policies and changes to federal programs. Instead, they gathered to talk about how this moment is an opportunity to inspire the youth and build partnerships together. And they aren’t the only ones. 

    Across rural America, Black producers in agriculture shared concerns about the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s continuing efforts to eliminate grants, but they’re not exhausting their energy on navigating such challenges. From Georgia to New York and even in Kentucky, farmers are inviting their own to lead conversations, workshops, and spend time in their communities. In June, the Texas International Ranchers and Farmers will host a three-day convening for farmers and students in rural Nacogdoches.

    When Tiffany Bellfield El-Amin started planning for her organization’s conference, the news hit that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits would be delayed. Some funders could no longer support the Kentucky Black Farmers Association, the organization she founded. They realized they couldn’t really rely on the government as they once did. After conversations with farmers, they exclaimed, “We got us,” which birthed the theme for this year’s conference focusing on culture, connection, and collective power. 

    “The funding that we usually received was in partnership with Kentucky State University, and we realized that because of their federal funding, they wouldn’t be able to fund it, either. So ‘We got us’ got even deeper,” Bellfield El-Amin said. “[We said], ‘We’ll figure it out.’ Everybody can bring a dish. We can do this family reunion style.”

    The importance of cultivating a space of collective care, addressing farmer’s needs, and knowing where the resources are is critical, she added. Some participants refused stipends. Others showed up, even though their employers couldn’t pay for them to come. Students attended, too, and got to experience the farms.

    “Food was sourced locally from our Black farmer members. We had Black bourbon, Black wine and spirits. We had steppers come in from Louisville, Kentucky. We had people camp out at the farm,” Bellfield El-Amin said. “It felt like the best family reunion, like I was with all my cousins, and we’re trying to figure out how we’re going to maintain and sustain ourselves and our communities.”

    Many panelists at the Shannon convening shared resources to help farmers and reemphasized their commitment to farming. As Carolyn Jones, director of the Mississippi Minority Farmers Alliance, put it, it’s time to cut the noise and “surround ourselves with positivity.”

    Experts like Eloris Speight, former director of the National Policy Research Center at Alcorn State, shared information about farm business protection programs. Mississippi State University professor Kevin Kim provided an overview of projected market conditions, and Walter Jackson, an agronomy consultant and cattle rancher, told the audience about a regenerative agriculture initiative. There were also sessions led by local pastors on religion and the community and a panel on health and wellness, while other panelists brought awareness of potential business opportunities. 

    Take Malone Buchanan, for instance. He’s a retired forester who owns a pine timber company. He emphasized the importance of timber and how others can take advantage of foresting operations.

    “Whatever county you’re in, you need to know who the movers are, who the shakers are, and you need to know where the money comes from,” Buchanan said. “I would like to grow my business with some new younger people.

    The power of the next generation of farmers

    Kameka Cole-Gray emphasized the importance of youth in agriculture. Cole-Gray works as the 1890 National Scholars Program’s USDA program liaison for Alcorn State and Southern University. She celebrated the students who she works with, including Gary McGhee, an agriculture economics major at Alcorn State. 

    McGhee doesn’t come from a farming family, but he became interested in the agriculture industry when a mentor allowed him to tour farms and learn about the business side of farming — from selling crops and livestock to owning land, he said. It pushed him to secure an internship with the USDA.

    “Hearing different people’s different perspectives on agriculture means a lot to me, so I can learn more and gain as much knowledge as possible and hopefully be my own professional in the ag field,” he said. “Hopefully I get my own farm one day.”

    The current climate and the reality of a declining Black farmer population hasn’t deterred McGhee from entering the profession, he said. If anything, it’s encouraged him to get his friends involved.

    “It’s a lot of older Black farmers and not enough young farmers, and I think that comes from not enough exposure,” he added. “I got a lot of friends that don’t know about agriculture, but now they see me doing it and they want to know more about it.” 

    In the room, on this day, everyone had everything they needed to be successful, John Jones, a retired conservationist and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service employee, told the group.

    “I just want you all to keep the faith, keep hope alive, because they can’t take it away from us,” he said. “We have nothing to fear.” 

  • Newswire: Mamdani Creates Office to Fight Deed Theft in New York City

    Newswire: Mamdani Creates Office to Fight Deed Theft in New York City

    by Mihir Zaveri, New York Times

    The scammers come in many varieties: The slick broker who “saves” a home from foreclosure, only to vanish with the title. The caregiver who exploits an older man’s trust to hijack his deed. The financial whiz who promises a mortgage renegotiation that ends in an eviction.

    Every year, cases like these afflict homeowners across New York City. The schemes are examples of deed theft, a practice in which people fraudulently take ownership of others’ homes.

    Just two days ago, a Brooklyn city councilman was among several people arrested at a protest against the crime.

    Now, the city is creating an Office of Deed Theft Prevention that will investigate instances of deed theft and try to stamp them out.

    “The theft of a home is the theft of a family’s future,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani said on Friday as he announced the creation of the office.

    “Deed theft preys on the New Yorkers who can least afford it. Today, we are bringing the full force of city government to bear to stop it — to protect homeowners, defend generational wealth and make clear that this City will not tolerate the exploitation of our communities.”

    Deed theft has been a particular problem in predominantly Black neighborhoods, where investors can capitalize on rising property values and gentrification.

    Mr. Mamdani, who has focused much of his attention on helping the city’s renters, is moving to create the office as he seeks to improve his political standing with Black homeowners and their representatives.

    He appointed Peter White, a lawyer who has worked for more than seven years at Access Justice Brooklyn, a nonprofit group, to lead the office. Mr. White worked on several deed theft and foreclosure related cases at the group.

    “My fundamental goal is to make life better for New York City homeowners,” Mr. White said on Friday, appearing alongside Mr. Mamdani at the Brooklyn Bank, a nonprofit based in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood that helps people build financial independence. “This is something I’ve tried to do since the beginning of my legal career.”

    Mr. Mamdani said the office would have a budget of $500,000 in the current fiscal year, which ends in the summer, and $1 million in the next. The office is expected to find ways to better educate homeowners on the warning signs of deed theft, as well as connect potential victims with lawyers and law enforcement.

    The office will also work on crafting new city and state legislation that could help public officials crack down on the practice.

    It will be part of the city’s Finance Department and will coordinate efforts between the housing department, the commission on human rights and more.

    While government officials have pursued deed theft cases in recent years, it remains a difficult problem to address. It is not always obvious to homeowners that they have been victims, and years could pass before any offense is reported.

    It can also be tough to determine when behavior is criminal and when a homeowner may simply be making a bad decision involving getting rid of their home. And the legal ownership of a home may be murky, particularly if the property was inherited by several different heirs or is in the hands of a guardian or conservator.

    The protest this week where the councilman, Chi Ossé, was arrested, did not center on an actual example of deed theft, according to the state attorney general’s office, but a property dispute between heirs and relatives of the property’s former co-owners.

    Still, officials have worked to more effectively address the issue. In 2024, state officials passed a law, known as the Heirs Property Protection and Deed Theft Prevention Act, that firmly established deed theft as a crime. The law was written in part by Letitia James, the state attorney general.

    One government estimate from 2023 found that there were at least 3,500 complaints of deed theft filed over the previous decade.

    The Furman Center at New York University released an analysis last April that found that tens of thousands of New York City homeowners were vulnerable to deed theft, scams, under-market sales and other legal problems that could strip them of their equity.

     

    Jeffery C. Mays contributed reporting.

  • Newswire: Gen Z Slang Deeply Rooted In Black Culture, Linguistic Experts Say

    Newswire: Gen Z Slang Deeply Rooted In Black Culture, Linguistic Experts Say

    Photo Source: Mohd Azrin / Getty

    by Shannon Dawson, NewsOne

    Popular Gen Z slang words like “rizz” and “slay” have become so widespread that these terms topped Unscramblerer’s list of most popular slang in 2025. But where do these buzzworthy words come from, and how do they become so deeply embedded in our everyday language that friends and even parents start using them? Experts say many of the words now labeled as Gen Z slang actually have roots that reach back centuries, particularly in Black culture and to African American Vernacular English (AAVE).

    The Black history of Gen Z slang.

    A report by NBC News correspondent Marquis Francis explored the history of some of these phrases with language enthusiasts. According to the report, some of these words emerged during periods of enslavement, born out of struggle and trauma. Linguists note that such language was often used to communicate openly within the community while remaining opaque to outsiders. Today, many of these words are recognized as part of African American Vernacular English (AAVE), also called Ebonics.

    As previously reported, historians believe AAVE’s roots trace to English dialects introduced to the American South in the 17th and 18th centuries, according to The Oxford Handbook of African American Language. These dialects were adopted and adapted by African Americans, influenced by both British English and African languages, as well as Caribbean creole varieties brought over by enslaved people. Although AAVE is frequently mischaracterized as slang or “incorrect” English, it is a fully distinct linguistic system with its own grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation patterns — such as dropping “-ing” (e.g., “goin’” instead of “going”) or r-lessness, and substitutions like “fo’” for “four” or “he be” instead of “he is.”

    Negative stereotypes and improper attribution lead to the erasure of history, experts say.

    Over time, this vernacular evolved. Many of the popular Gen Z terms that thrive today eventually circulated within popular Black subcultures, including early hip-hop and underground drag scenes, and were not widely embraced by the mainstream. Words with letters dropped, or entire phrases combined to form new expressions, were often dismissed as improper speech associated with poverty or lack of education. 

    Those negative stereotypes still exist today. A 2021 study involving 20 audio recordings of 14 Black North American men and six Black British men asked participants to guess the speakers’ race and age. The study found that speakers perceived as using AAVE were more likely to be stereotyped as “lazy,” “uneducated,” and “poor.” Controversies surrounding AAVE are not new — the 1996 Ebonics debate, in which the Oakland, California, Board of Education recognized it as a primary language to improve literacy, sparked nationwide discussion and criticism.

    Today, however, these terms have permeated the default dialect of a generation, transcending race, region, and class in the digital age. Critics, however, have highlighted the erasure of Black origins, pointing out that non-Black Gen Zers often use these words without understanding their cultural significance and complicated history.

    “I don’t necessarily say that no one else can speak it, but what I do say is it comes from those people that created it,” said Sonja Lanehart, a linguistics professor at the University of Arizona and the author of The Oxford Handbook of African American Language, which she wrote to address misconceptions around AAVE.

    Linguists warn that when a word’s origins are viewed negatively or stripped away, it can erase a community’s history, a potentially dangerous consequence. For Jamaal Muwwakkil, a sociocultural anthropologist and linguist, it is crucial that Gen Zers understand the history of these words and credit the people who created them.

    “It doesn’t make any sense to me that you can hear a word and then say, ‘That word sounds cool or it’s interesting; let me never look into it and just start saying it,’” Muwwakkil told Francis. “That seems strange to me.” He explained that AAVE was more than slang: it was a tool for enslaved people brought to the U.S. in the 17th century to find common ground among themselves, using language to communicate within the community while remaining covert to outsiders. It was a form of protection. 

    Language experts stress that African American language is not exclusive to Black people, but understanding its history and giving proper attribution is essential. Without that recognition, some people may benefit from the language, while those who created it are often erased.

  • Newswire: RFK Jr. set to face Bill Cassidy in back-to-back Senate hearings

    Newswire: RFK Jr. set to face Bill Cassidy in back-to-back Senate hearings

    RFK Jr. talking with Senator Bill Cassidy

    by Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News

    Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. heads to Capitol Hill on Wednesday on a potential collision course with the Republican who helped put him in the job: Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana.

    It will be Kennedy’s first appearance in nearly a year before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, which Cassidy chairs. The senator, who is up for re-election, cast the key vote to confirm Kennedy last year after securing a series of promises from Kennedy, including that he would preserve federal vaccine recommendations and regularly appear before the committee.

    Kennedy has not kept those promises; Cassidy has limited his criticism of the health secretary to posts on social media and press statements.

    Cassidy, however, has been vocal in his support of vaccines, including during the March confirmation hearing for Dr. Casey Means, President Donald Trump’s pick for surgeon general. Means is a Kennedy ally who has questioned vaccines. Cassidy has not yet scheduled a vote to advance Means’ nomination.

    Wednesday’s hearing will mark Kennedy’s first appearance before Cassidy since a confrontational Senate Finance Committee hearing in September and could offer the clearest sign yet of how the senator plans to handle those concerns. A spokesperson for Cassidy declined to comment on what the senator plans to ask Kennedy.

    Kennedy is also expected to face questions from Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who is retiring next year and has said he plans to speak more freely about his views, including on members of Trump’s Cabinet. (Tillis voted to confirm all members of Trump’s Cabinet in 2025.)

    Kennedy will appear before the Finance Committee in the morning and the HELP Committee in the afternoon.

    In January, Kennedy overhauled the childhood vaccine schedule, reducing the number of recommended diseases for children to be vaccinated against from 18 to 11 — a move Cassidy later said in a post on X would “make America sicker.” The changes removed recommendations that all babies should be protected against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, RSV, dengue, and two types of bacterial meningitis.

    In March, a federal judge blocked those changes and put on hold the new members Kennedy appointed to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory committee. The administration hasn’t yet appealed the ruling. But Kennedy signed off on new rules for the committee that could make it easier to work around the court’s decision.

    Dorit Reiss, a vaccine policy expert at the University of California Law School, San Francisco, said she hopes that Cassidy will hold Kennedy accountable.

    “There’s a raging measles outbreak,” Reiss said. “Kennedy may have given lukewarm endorsements to the MMR vaccine but, as far as I know, hasn’t made any efforts to call on people to vaccinate or to do anything practical to reduce the risk.”

    Kennedy has already testified at five congressional hearings over the last week. He has faced blistering criticism from Democrats over his vaccine policy and overhaul of federal health agencies. At one hearing, Kennedy said the U.S. has “done better” at preventing measles than any other country.

    “Judging by Secretary Kennedy’s recent testimony to Congress, he is likely to continue to gaslight the Senate Finance and HELP committees,” said Lawrence Gostin, director of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University. “He continues using terms like ‘world-class science,’ ‘rigorous evidence,’ and ‘radical transparency,’ when in fact he has done the opposite.”

    In an emailed statement, Andrew Nixon, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, called what Gostin said “a baseless accusation that doesn’t match reality.”

    Another potential wild card for Kennedy is Tillis, a Republican who is not seeking re-election, Reiss said.

    During the September hearing, she noted, Tillis suggested that Kennedy had broken his promises on vaccines, saying, “I do also believe that some of your statements seem to contradict what you said in the prior hearing.”

    “The fact that you’re a Republican doesn’t mean that you need to blindly accept [Kennedy’s actions],” Reiss said.

    A spokesperson for Tillis did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

    Kennedy could also face questions about his recent comments to overhaul the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a federal panel that makes recommendations on preventive services, including cancer screenings, as well as on Trump’s executive order meant to spur research into psychedelics.

  • Newswire: How can we solve the Black maternal health crisis if we can’t say ‘Black’?

    Newswire: How can we solve the Black maternal health crisis if we can’t say ‘Black’?

    U.S. Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) speaks during a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing in the U.S. Capitol Building on March 04, 2026, in Washington, DC. Photo by: Anna Moneymaker

    by Kay Wicker

    That question went from rhetorical to real on Friday, April 17, when Rep. Summer Lee asked it outright during a committee hearing with the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

    “Your agency told programs to remove a list of nearly 200 words and phrases from their funding applications, including the word ‘Black.’ Do you have an idea of how we could solve the Black maternal mortality crisis if we can’t say ‘Black’?” she asked as she grilled him intensely on the matter.

    During the exchange, which came at the close of another annual Black Maternal Health Week, the Democratic congresswoman laid out the stakes. She explained that Black women are at least three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women and that most of those deaths are preventable, while also sounding the alarm about proposed cuts to key maternal health programs and how the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts is impacting Black maternal health.

    Kennedy attempted to push back, but when pressed on disparities, he largely pivoted to general maternal health, citing overall improvements and claiming the administration had done more than its predecessors. He downplayed his past claims about Tylenol during pregnancy, saying he “doubted” avoiding it would significantly affect Black maternal deaths.

    In addition to facing mortality rates three to four times higher than any other demographic, Black women in the United States also face disproportionately high rates of complications like preeclampsia and emergency C-sections. Those disparities are all the result of longstanding gaps in access to care, medical bias, and systemic inequities—and in recent years, the landscape has only grown more precarious.

    The fallout from Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in 2022, which saw an end to Roe v. Wade and protections for abortions in this country, has complicated pregnancy care nationwide, while the rollback of DEI initiatives has put funding for targeted programs at risk. Doulas, often cited as critical support for improving outcomes, are also navigating increasingly restrictive policies.

    Since the Pennsylvania representative’s remarks began circulating online, many responses, including those from non-Black content creators, have highlighted that addressing the needs of those most at risk improves outcomes across the board. The idea that targeted solutions exclude others misunderstands how public health works.

    If a table is wobbly, you can adjust everything around it, but it won’t be steady until you fix the leg that’s most off balance.

    During the hearing, Lee ultimately said, “We can improve healthcare for everybody at the same time as helping the people who are most likely to die.”