Breaking News! History in the Making

California prisoner who swallowed a staple ends hunger strike to protest jail conditions
Jazz Svarda began a hunger strike at the Santa Rita Jail after swallowing a staple he believes was intentionally placed in his food.

Howard University picks African diaspora scholar as next president
Ben Vinson III, currently the provost at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, will take over as president on Sept. 1.

States where abortion is legal, banned, or under threat
After the Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v. Wade, states are deciding themselves whether or not to allow legal access to abortion. Abortion bans disproportionately affect women of color.

DA will not charge ex-Memphis police officer involved in Tyre Nichols stop
No criminal charges will be brought against a Memphis police officer who was fired for his involvement in the traffic stop that led to the death of Tyre Nichols. Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man, was brutally assaulted after he was pulled over Jan. 7 for alleged reckless driving and died three days later.

Students rally to keep director of university’s African American studies program
Students rally to keep director of university’s African American studies program because he is its sole faculty member.

Harry Belafonte put it all on the line for Black people: his career, his heart, his soul
“Harry Belafonte truly showed and gave a blueprint on how to literally live the walk and walk the talk in ways that we just have never seen before.”

Black and Latina Mothers’ induced labor rates rise due to systematic racism
A new study found that Black and Latina mothers in the US may have been induced into labor based on the needs of White pregnant women.

U.S. appeals court upholds Florida voting law that judge found discriminatory
A federal appeals court on Thursday upheld several Republican-backed voting restrictions in Florida, overruling a lower court judge who had found the laws intentionally discriminated against minority voters.

Black couple reunited with newborn taken by authorities over medical treatment
Authorities returned baby Mila to Temecia and Rodney Jackson after nearly a month of protest from residents.

HBCUs capitalize on growing interest by adding sport options
The outrage, frustration and emotional trauma Jahi Jones felt as he watched video of police murdering George Floyd three years ago compelled him to seek ways to lift up other young Black men.

George Foreman on capturing his rise as the ultimate comeback king in a biopic
The larger-than-life boxer’s biopic, “Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World,” releases Friday.

Prison deaths up by 46% in 2020
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the decline of life expectancy in the United States can be linked directly to mass incarceration. Blacks in the US are the population most affected by mass incarceration.

Democracy for Black Americans Is Under Attack
The National Urban League annual State of Black America report cites hate crimes against Black Americans on the rise and along with extremist views in government. These are concerning for all Americans who value democracy.

Black history class to undergo changes, College Board says
The College Board says changes will be made to its AP African American studies course, after critics said the agency bowed to political pressure and removed several topics.

Harry Belafonte, activist and entertainer, dies at 96
Harry Belafonte, the civil rights and entertainment giant who began as a groundbreaking actor and singer and became an activist, has died at 96.

Tucker Carlson leaves a toxic legacy at Fox News. What’s next?
Far-right talk show host, Tucker Carlson, has been let go by Fox News. Carlson has a long history of racial bigotry. He took content from online white nationalists to build up an appetite for fringe theories in the Fox News audience, according to Media Matters for America.

Fort Lee, named for a Confederate general, will be renamed to honor Black Army pioneers
After 100 years, one Virginia army base will be renamed Fort Gregg-Adams instead of Fort Lee after a Confederate general.

Reduce, reuse, Rebundle — the hair company combining sustainability and beauty
Rebundle offers an environmentally-conscientious offer to Black consumers looking for beautiful synthetic hair.