Black Headline News

As Storm Daniel ravaged Moroccan City of Derna, over 20,000 people are feared to be dead, 11,300 confirmed deceased as of September 18.Recently, the United Nations warned that disease outbreaks could bring a “second devastating crisis” to the flood-ravaged city of 1000,000 people, due to the contaminated water and the lack of sanitation.Libya’s disease control center banned citizens in the disaster zone from drinking water from local mains, warning that it is “polluted,” according to France24 News.The disaster is Africa’s deadliest storm on record; seven of Africa’s top 30 deadliest weather disasters since 1900 have occurred in the past two years, according to Bob Henson and Jeff Masters of Yale Climate Connections.

Thursday morning at 12:00 AM, auto workers from Detroit’s Big Three automakers Ford, General Motors (GM) and Stellantis went on strike under the unified efforts of their union, United Auto Workers (UAW), The Stand Up Strike. (Stellantis N.V. is a multinational automotive manufacturing corporation formed from the merger of the Italian–American conglomerate Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the French PSA Group. They carry the Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat brands.)UAW President Shawn Fain remained adamant about the Sept. 14, 11:59 p.m. deadline for the nearly 150,000 members to have a deal in place with the Big Three; a few hours before the strike, he made a statement on Facebook live to the public about the absolute deadline if the demands were not met.Meanwhile, General Motors CEO Mary Barra told CBS Mornings they have presented four different offers to the UAW since they have been at the table with them since July 18, receiving 1,000 demands; Barra said GM couldn't be successful if the company met all of UAW's demands. The initial demands, she said, were over $100 billion.In a Facebook live broadcast on August 1, Fain presented "audacious" demands of members in a new four-year contract being negotiated with a Sept. 14 deadline to the Big Three: (see document below from UAW)elimination of wage tierssubstantial wage increasesrestoration of cost of living allowance increasesdefined benefit pension for all workersreestablishment of retiree medical benefitsthe right to strike over plant closureslimits on the use of temporary workersmore paid time offincreased benefits to current retirees

CDC is tracking a new SARS-CoV-2 variant called BA.2.86 and working to better understand its potential impact on public health. This update follows CDC’s initial risk assessment summary on August 23, 2023. A variant is an alternate version of a virus – in this case, the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 – that has some mutations or changes in its genetic code, compared with the original. Mutations can alter the behavior of the viruses in various ways, such as how effectively they break into cells and how rapidly they can replicate, according to virologist and infectious disease expert, Dr. Suresh V. Kuchipudi.BA.2.86, nicknamed Pirola, is a highly mutated new omicron sublineage of SARS-CoV-2 that was first detected in Denmark in July 2023. The World Health Organization announced that, as of Sept. 6, 2023, BA.2.86 has been detected in 11 countries. What’s interesting is that BA.2.86, the newest sublineage on the scene, seems to have come from the older BA.2 omicron lineage that was dominant in early 2022 and not from the newer omicron offshoots, according to virologist, Dr. Kuchipudi. A preliminary study reported that BA.2.86 features 33 distinct spike mutations when compared to its precursor, BA.2.

September 11, 2023, marks the 22nd anniversary of the September 11 attacks, commonly known as 9/11, which were four coordinated suicide terrorist attacks carried out by al-Qaeda against the United States on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, according to the encyclopedia Britannica.Nearly 3,000 people had perished: some 2,750 people in New York, 184 at the Pentagon, and 40 in Pennsylvania; all 19 terrorists also died. Included in the total in New York City were more than 400 police officers and firefighters, who lost their lives after rushing to the scene and into the towers.Transportation Security Administration documented the events of 9/11 as they unfolded through actual audio of first responders, air traffic controllers, dispatch personnel, airline employees, pilots, citizens, and terrorists. Let’s watch this moving, factual video.

On the night of September 8, a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Moroccan city, Marrakech.At least 2,862 people died from the earthquake, Morocco's Interior Ministry said Monday, September 11. Over 2,500 were injured, according to CBS News.Marrakech was founded in 1070 by the Almoravid dynasty, which derived from a tribe that was part of a larger non-Arab confederation of peoples now referred to as Berbers. It was one of the first major cities in the wider Islamic west, known as the Maghrib – now comprising Morocco, Algeria and parts of Tunisia - to be founded by a group indigenous to the region.

Secondhand smoke may be an important but overlooked source of chronic lead exposure in children and adolescents. That is the key finding of a recent study, published in the journal BMC Public Health by Associate Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health at Texas A&M University, Genny Carrillo and Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, Texas A&M University, Taehyun Roh.Elevated blood levels were more common in children ages 6 to 10 than in older participants. Notably, children from low-income households showed 27% higher blood lead levels compared with those from high-income households.Lead, unlike many other toxins, does not get diluted when exposure decreases. Nor does the body excrete it naturally. Instead, it accumulates in the bones and leaches into blood. The only way to remove it is through an oral medical treatment.

As an update to the August 5, 2023 riverboat brawl in Montgomery, Alabama on the Alabama River docks, there are now five people who have been charged in the ongoing investigation, where a Black co-captain was attacked by a group of white men. The co-captain asked them to move their illegally parked pontoon, which was stationed in the spot typically reserved for the Harriott II Riverboat. The captain by loud speaker had already asked them to move several times, circling the river for 40 minutes, hoping the boat owners would follow his request and move their boat. Meanwhile, the offenders who turned themselves in last week include: Mary Todd, 21, Richard Roberts, 48, Allen Todd, 23, and Zachery Shipman, 25. Also, the Black man, Reggie Ray, 42, wielding the chair at a few white offenders after exiting the riverboat due to racial slurs and threats of violence hurled his way before exiting the boat, has turned himself into the Montgomery law enforcement. One of the workers on the riverboat claimed the group of white men called him the n-word and threatened to use a gun. According to legal documents obtained by TMZ, a woman named Crystal Warren, who was working on the riverboat, said one of the white men who attacked the Black worker yelled, "F**k that n****r" before coming down the dock to fight him. Over $300,000 has been raised online for Ray's case. However, the memes keep coming, as many Black people are identifying the incident as racially motivated; videos posted to online social media pages are depicting wielding-chair scenes, a Black history lesson on folding chairs and memes relating the Underground Railroad, historical figure, Harriet Tubman.BHN insider has the facts regarding the question of the two “Harriets." The truth is revealing of the real historical relevance of Harriet Tubman and the ship that was named after her.

A Florida law that took effect on July 1, 2023, restricts how educators in the state’s public colleges and universities can teach about the racial oppression that African Americans have faced in the United States. Specifically, SB 266 forbids professors to teach that systemic racism is “inherent in the institutions of the United States.” Similarly, they cannot teach that it was designed “to maintain social, political and economic inequities.”

The Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument became the country’s 425th national park July 25, on the 82nd anniversary of Till’s birth, as President Joe Biden established the park through proclamation during a White House ceremony. However, the pains of this racial crime still run deep because the known killers of the teenage Black youth were never charged."Insisting on an open caset [sic] — casket for her murdered and, I might add, maimed and mutilated son. Fourteen years old. Fourteen years old. She said, “Let the people see what I’ve seen.” “Let the people see what I have seen," said President Biden during an emotional speech before signing the proclmation."My God, all of us who have lost children in other ways, how hard it is even to close the casket or keep it open or to — what a debate it is.""The story of Emmett Till and the incredible bravery of Mamie Till-Mobley helped fuel the movement for civil rights in America, and their stories continue to inspire our collective fight for justice," said Vice-President Kamala Harris. "Our history as a nation is born of tragedy and triumph, of struggle and success. That is who we are. And as people who love our country, as patriots, we know that we must remember and teach our full history, even when it is painful — especially when it is painful."Emmett Till was an African American teenager who grew up in Chicago and had relatives in the Mississippi Delta. At 14, he visited Mississippi on vacation in August 1955. He was kidnapped, tortured and killed by white men after being accused of whistling at and making sexual advances toward a white woman.His mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, was an active member of the Chicago community with an especially close relationship with her son and who became a civil rights icon after his death. She quickly sought justice for her child, demanding his casket be transported home and unsealed, and then insisting his mangled corpse be shown to the world. Till-Mobley devoted the rest of her life to seeking justice for her son, speaking publicly on issues of racism, educating children and comforting other grieving families. Her long journey was filled with setbacks, but her determination and resilience saw her through. She died in 2003.

In part 2 discussion regarding the reintroduction of the Freedom to Vote Act, U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock representing Georgia and U.S. House of Representative Terri Sewell of Alabama focus on the voting challenges in each of their states. Both southern states are facing current voting issues relative to gerrymandering and surprise voting laws by Republican elected leaders.

Democratic leaders of Congress reintroduce the importance of the Freedom to Vote Act. The Freedom to Vote Act improves access to the ballot for all Americans, advances commonsense election integrity reforms, and protects our democracy from emerging threats. The bill also puts an end to partisan gerrymandering, and roots out the undue influence of dark, special interest money in our politics, giving the voice back to the American people. Senate Majority Leader (D-NY) Chuck Schumer explains the importance of this bill which will newly be referred to as "S1." Meanwhile, U.S. House Democratic Leader (D-NY) Hakeem Jeffries refers to the recent bill necessity to mitigate bad actors attempting to disrupt local, state and federal elections. Finally, U.S. Senator (D-MN) Amy Klobuchar reiterates why the intend to get more support for this bill as a bipartisan effort.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced felony charges against 16 Michigan, Republican, resident voters, ranging from ages 55 to 82 for their role in the alleged false electors scheme following the 2020 U.S. presidential election. According to CNN, some of the GOP electors in Michigan were local activists who were recruited to serve as “fake electors,” all while inaccurately believing there was still a chance that then-President Donald Trump might secure a second consecutive term. Others were well-connected GOP operatives. The group of 16 fake electors includes current and former state GOP officials, a Republican National Committee member, a sitting mayor, a school board member and Trump supporters who were the plaintiffs in a frivolous lawsuit that tried to overturn the 2020 results.

Colonel Merryl Tengesdal reveals the background of her new book, SHATTER THE SKY, as the first and only Black woman to fly the United States Air Force’s U-2 spy plane.In episode 2 of BHN Radio Live with Brigitte Jones, special guest book author extraordinaire, Merryl Tengesdal, has a chat about her real-life experiences in the military as a "first," as well as her early goals as a child to becoming an accomplished astronaut, as a woman of color.

Host Julia Dudley Najieb reviews the roots of Black music in the United States and how its initial influences revolutionized the American experience for everyone.From Negro spirituals, to ragtime, blues and jazz, Dudley Najieb reviews the historical references and people responsible for creating or influencing the different genres of music birthed out of pain and ingenuity, dating back from slavery in America.

Produced by AMPTV, this over 2-hour special celebrating Juneteenth reviews the important points in history in the Anti-Slavery Movement, the Civil War, the history behind Juneteenth, as well as reflecting on abolitionists and historical figures such as, Phyllis Wheatley, Harriet Beecher Stowe, William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman and former slave, Laura Smalley of Hempstead, Texas (1941.)Meanwhile, watch the late Chadwick Boseman perform a passionate an excerpt of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.

This is a multimedia audio lecture produced for UC Berkeley's "Data Arts", online digital humanities class. This entire audio clip was broken up into modular samples for use with the New Hive platform. Dr. Reginold Royston, PhD, performed the original research and voice-over, and John Scott produced the soundtrack and visuals.

In this BHN Radio episode 1, BHN news anchor Brigitte Jones recaps on the latest news of celebrities and celebrity spouses silenced when reporting domestic violence; Jones briefly recaps on Wendy Gaye's recent case with celebrity husband, Marvin Gaye, Jr. She also reflected on Tina Turner's past domestic abuse incidents and a few others women married to celebrities.

Join Cheryl Smith, the publisher of The Garland Journal, Texas Metro News and I-Messenger, on weekly brief vodcast, Metro News Hype.About Texas Metro News and Publisher, Cheryl SmithThe Texas Metro News’s mission is to inform, educate, enlighten, inspire, entertain, educate and empower, by providing thought-provoking news, photos, stories and commentary.Texas Metro News is a Texas-based publication for people on the move and in search of news that is empowering and uplifting as well as informative and entertaining. On the pages you find information that focuses on trends, issues and varying opinions. It was designed for upwardly mobile men and women who want to stay abreast of the issues impacting their lives and those around them.In addition to appealing to the broad audience, publisher Cheryl Smith gained as a popular, award-winning talk show host on Texas-based radio station KKDA-AM the publication focuses on empowering, educating, enlightening, inspiring and entertaining its readers.Cheryl Smith is the Publisher and CEO of I Messenger Media Group, which includes the publications: Texas Metro News, Garland Journal and I Messenger. She also hosts a radio talk show, Cheryl’s World, on Blog Talk Radio.

Join Cheryl Smith, the publisher of The Garland Journal, Texas Metro News and I-Messenger, on weekly brief vodcast, Metro News Hype.About Texas Metro News and Publisher, Cheryl SmithThe Texas Metro News’s mission is to inform, educate, enlighten, inspire, entertain, educate and empower, by providing thought-provoking news, photos, stories and commentary.Texas Metro News is a Texas-based publication for people on the move and in search of news that is empowering and uplifting as well as informative and entertaining. On the pages you find information that focuses on trends, issues and varying opinions. It was designed for upwardly mobile men and women who want to stay abreast of the issues impacting their lives and those around them.In addition to appealing to the broad audience, publisher Cheryl Smith gained as a popular, award-winning talk show host on Texas-based radio station KKDA-AM the publication focuses on empowering, educating, enlightening, inspiring and entertaining its readers.Cheryl Smith is the Publisher and CEO of I Messenger Media Group, which includes the publications: Texas Metro News, Garland Journal and I Messenger. She also hosts a radio talk show, Cheryl’s World, on Blog Talk Radio.

Join Cheryl Smith, the publisher of The Garland Journal, Texas Metro News and I-Messenger, on weekly brief vodcast, Metro News Hype.About Texas Metro News and Publisher, Cheryl SmithThe Texas Metro News’s mission is to inform, educate, enlighten, inspire, entertain, educate and empower, by providing thought-provoking news, photos, stories and commentary.Texas Metro News is a Texas-based publication for people on the move and in search of news that is empowering and uplifting as well as informative and entertaining. On the pages you find information that focuses on trends, issues and varying opinions. It was designed for upwardly mobile men and women who want to stay abreast of the issues impacting their lives and those around them.In addition to appealing to the broad audience, publisher Cheryl Smith gained as a popular, award-winning talk show host on Texas-based radio station KKDA-AM the publication focuses on empowering, educating, enlightening, inspiring and entertaining its readers.Cheryl Smith is the Publisher and CEO of I Messenger Media Group, which includes the publications: Texas Metro News, Garland Journal and I Messenger. She also hosts a radio talk show, Cheryl’s World, on Blog Talk Radio.