Black Headline News

The show is hosted by news publishers Cheryl Smith, Julia Dudley Najieb, and Brigitte Jones.BREAKING: Starting with a tribute to the late Rev. Jesse Jackson, this episode covers: Is the SAVE America Act the new 'Jim Crow 2.0'? DHS Shutdown begins ... redistricting scheme backfiring ...Black History Month Spotlight: In 2022, the National Trust for Historic Preservation's HOPE Crew (Hands-On Preservation Experience; http://www.savingplaces.org/hope-crew) program in partnership with the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund (http://www.savingplaces.org/action-fund) presented a 6-month paid fellowship to students studying at three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs; http://www.savingplaces.org/hbcus): Florida A&M University, Prairie View A&M University, and Tuskegee University. To share the impact of the digital documentation fellowship and the way in which it has encouraged and supported the integration of historic preservation at HBCUs, HOPE Crew, in partnership with the Action Fund produced a documentary featuring the five students from the cohort.Election & Politics: (FOX News) Democratic lawmakers say President Donald Trump’s redistricting gambit is backfiring as Virginia’s Democratic-controlled Senate advanced new congressional maps that could chip away at the House GOP's majority.(NBC News) While some state lawmakers have been able to redraw congressional maps through legislation, Virginia's constitution mandates that a bipartisan redistricting commission handles the process. After several Republican-controlled states enacted new maps, Virginia Democrats began the complicated effort of amending the constitution to allow them to respond with redrawn district lines.(SCOTUSblog) California’s path to the enactment of its new map was slightly more complicated than in Texas. The California Legislature adopted the new map in August, but under the state constitution an independent redistricting commission – rather than the Legislature – normally has the power to redistrict. The legislation adopting the new map therefore proposed a ballot initiative, known as Proposition 50, that would amend the constitution to allow the use of the new map from 2026 through 2030. By a roughly two-to-one margin, the state’s voters approved the initiative in a special election on Nov. 4.

In this episode:  Julia Dudley Najieb and Cherly Smith start with the breaking news regarding the Obamas being depicted as apes in President Trump's delete Truth Social post.  The other breaking news deals with the Apple Music Super Bowl 60 Halftime Show featuring Bad Bunny controversy over his all-Spanish speaking performance.Black History Month Spotlight:  Black colleges in Atlanta, GAElections:  Trump calls to nationalize elections: federal judges orders Fulton County Georgia election case unsealed by an immediate dateIn the final hour:  Explore with BHN Talk Radio top scientists from throughout the world the threat of nanoplastic and how it is adversely affecting humanity and the living environment.

BREAKING:  Independent journalist Georgia Fort, former CNN anchor Don Lemon, and activists Trahern Crews and Jamael Lundy, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi were arrested at the end of January concerning a protest at a church location.Black History Month Spotlight: HBCUs in Nashville, TN Election & Politics: Texas upset from special election could interfere with bigger plans in the Senate for Republicans: Democrat Taylor Rehmet pulled an upset in a Fort Worth-area district, beating Republican Leigh Wambsganss 57%-43% in a runoff election in a solidly Republican district.Listen to movie excerpt, "Nanoplastics: Threat to Life" part one.

In this episode of BHN Talk Radio, Julia Dudley Najieb, Brigitte Jones and Cheryl Smith start with the breaking news of the winter storm that affected millions of people throughout the United States; over 11,500 flights were cancelled.  The hosts then connected the conversation with Dr. John Ahn from the previous episode who talked about the reason for the boost in natural disasters.Other news items discussed:Death Penalty on the Rise Over the last year, eight states have enacted 20 bills regarding capital punishment. In 2025, 43 executions were carried out across 11 states—a sharp rise from the 25 executions in 2024, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.Philadelphia sues over Trump directive to remove slavery displays from historical site (CBS News)A series of informational signs about slavery was removed from the President's House in Old City Philadelphia, prompting Philadelphia officials to file a lawsuit against the federal government. Elaine Quijano has more.Spotlight: Ryan Coogler's movie Sinners nominated 16 times (NPR)This year, Ryan Coogler's brilliant vampire story Sinners bested that by two, landing 16 nominations.Feature Story:  The United States said Thursday that it had officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO).  But WHO member states are not obliged to accept the US departure as legally binding until it pays up on some $260.6 million in dues owed for 2024- and 2025, WHO’s Director General contends in a report to WHO member states, published this week. Elections & Politics:  State primary dates for 2026 are listed below. Political parties use primaries to determine which candidates will run for their state’s partisan offices in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Legislative, congressional, gubernatorial and statewide offices are on the ballots in 46 states. 

This episode of the Black Headline News Talk Radio Show with news publisher hosts Julia Dudley Najieb, Brigitte Jones and Cheryl Smith features special guest, Dr. John Ahn.Dr. John Ahn, PhD, MBA, is a distinguished professional recognized for building pathways between cutting-edge research and commercial impact. With multidisciplinary expertise in chemistry, life sciences, engineering, and venture development, Dr. Ahn drives sustainable innovations by translating early-stage discoveries into scalable technologies that address pressing global challenges. He has an established record of launching startups, cultivating strategic partnerships, and commercializing breakthroughs across agriculture, biotechnology, chemicals, energy, and materials science.Dudley Najieb, Jones and Smith discuss the increasing amount of natural weather disasters nationwide and worldwide, followed by a deep discussion about micro and nanoplastics damaging our health, even while we sleep.National News HeadlinesGhana Helped U.S. Deport Migrants, and Now Its Own Citizens Are Shut Out“America is a bully that is never satisfied,” Oliver Barker-Vormawor said from Ghana.  The Trump administration’s new freeze on immigrant visas from 75 nations is the latest example, he added.  African nations make up a striking share of the 75 countries swept into the Trump administration’s new freeze on immigrant visas This Texas County Is the Deadliest Place in the U.S. for Black Mothers to Give BirthA recent study by local public health officials found that from 2016 to 2020, the maternal mortality rate for Black women in Harris County was 83.4 per 100,000 live births — the highest in the nation. In 2020, the national rate for Black women was 55.3 per 100,000; for white women, it was 19.1.Groundbreaking Ceremony for the African American Holistic Resource CenterThe African American Holistic Resource Center (AAHRC) will focus on serving African American Berkeley residents, particularly people from South and West Berkeley neighborhoods, and those displaced from Berkeley who have been disproportionally impacted by racism and gentrification and would benefit from treatment and services provided in a culturally responsive and supportive way. AAHRC will be open to all, however the focus of the AAHRC will be to enhance strengthen, and validate African American/Black identity, cultural values, and traditions. AAHRC will support participants by using community-defined and culturally appropriate approaches and practices.Global News HeadlinesChaos at Africa Cup of Nations final after Senegal players walk off fieldThe Africa Cup of Nations final went to extra time after finishing 0-0 in a chaotic end that saw Senegal players walk off the field when host Morocco was awarded a stoppage-time penalty.Senegal would go on to win the game 1-0 in extra time to lift their second AFCON title and second in five years after winning it in 2021.Floods kill more than 100 across southern Africa as rains intensifyTorrential rains have killed more than 100 people across Southern Africa, forcing mass evacuations and rescue operations as authorities warn that more destructive weather may still be to come.Weeks of heavy rainfall have battered South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, overwhelming rivers and infrastructure and leaving entire communities cut off. Weather services across the region have issued further alerts, raising fears of additional flooding.

Today's episode of Black Headline News Talk Radio Show: Hosted by news publishers Cheryl Smith, Julia Dudley Najieb, and Brigitte Jones, today's show includes the following topics: Fraud allegations blocked for nowNBC News: A federal judge ruled Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration cannot block federal money for child care subsidies and other programs aimed at supporting needy children and their families from flowing to five Democratic-led states for now.Fake degrees?TYT contributing show host Dr. Rashad Richey claims to have earned five doctorates and five master's degrees in ten areas of study, but citizen journalist, Cam James seems to prove otherwise, claiming that at least seven of these degrees come from diploma mills or non-existent programs.Exposing Rashad Richey (Part 1): The GOAT of Fake DegreesExposing Rashad Richey (Part 2): The Scam University & Fake Investigation FirmTYT’s Rashad Richey: Fake Degrees, Fake Lawyer, Real ScamAre we living the dream?Smith, Dudley Najieb and Jones give their commentary on where Black America stands today.Let's "stamp" for joy for Ali and Wheatley!Black Headline News: The U.S. Postal Service is honoring Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784), the first author of African descent in the American Colonies to publish a book, with the 49th stamp in the Black Heritage series.A famed coach gunned down is remembered:San Francisco Chronicles: John Beam's celebration of life brought out a wide range of luminaries with deep ties to Oakland.Among the speakers were Mayor Barbara Lee and Rep. Lateefah Simon. Among the familiar faces in the crowd were five-time Pro Bowl running back Marshawn Lynch and nine-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard, both proud Oakland natives.

The Black Headline News Talk Radio Show team hosted a special three-hour radio show broadcast to review the most influential news stories of the year: the government shutdown, the Department of Education shutdown, the redistricting battles, the Charlie Kirk memorializing controversy, and Black women candidates running for higher offices.Hosted by news publishers Cheryl Smith, Julia Dudley Najieb, and Brigitte Jones, encores of the show can be watched daily on the AMPTV Network of channels or listen to the audio version below. Starting Tuesday, January 13, 2026, new shows broadcast weekly at 4:00 PM PDT/6:00 PM CDT on Tuesdays, with repeats every Tuesday at the same time. Programming can also be accessed on CTV platforms Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, and the Live 365 mobile radio app.

Learn about this week in America's Black History.

Learn about this week in America's Black History.

Breaking:  The NAACP, the nation's leading civil rights organization, announced its creation of the Black Consumer Advisory, The Advisory places emphasis on Black consumers' nearly $2 trillion in spending power, promoting informed spending decisions by providing the Black community with insight into who's promoting progress, and who's living in the past.During her February 13 Senate confirmation hearing, Trump nominee for education secretary Linda McMahon cast doubt on the future of Black history courses in American public schools, saying she’s “not quite certain” if Black history instruction would violate an executive order banning “critical race theory in the classroom." During Biden’s presidency, some right-wing media figures called for the end of Black history curriculum, with one Fox News personality calling it a “Trojan horse.”The Alfred Street Baptist Church of Alexandria has decided to cancel its annual Christmas performance at D.C.’s Kennedy Center.The move follows President Donald Trump’s complaints that the programming at the Kennedy Center under its past board was too “woke.” The president has since overhauled the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees, which voted to make him the chairman.Green Watch:  A 10-minute excerpt of the documentary, "The Anthropogenic Factor in the Ocean's Demise" is shown as well as a discussion about the documentary, "Water from Air:  The Path to Saving Humanity.Spotlight:  The 10th Annual African American History Parade and Symposium took over the streets of downtown Houston on Saturday. The event was organized by The Houston Sun Foundation during Black History Month.More News:  The Super Bowl halftime show sparks different reactions, one extreme to the other.  However, this reviewers does a detailed breakdown of the meaning of the performance.Feature:  Robin McElroy, a Morgan Park resident, has cherished her Chicago home since purchasing it in 2012. But now, she’s facing panic and frustration over a mix-up involving unpaid property taxes.Despite proof of consistent payments since 2012, McElory recently received a letter from the Cook County Circuit Court stating her home was sold for delinquent taxes, and she may owe three years of back rent to the buyer.

Learn about this week in America's Black History.

Breaking:  The Justice Department on Monday ordered federal prosecutors to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, arguing in a remarkable departure from long-standing norms that the case was interfering with the mayor’s ability to aid the president’s crackdown on illegal immigration.Green Watch:  A magnitude-7.6 earthquake struck in the western Caribbean on Saturday night, prompting a tsunami advisory for the Cayman Islands as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands were cleared of the threat. The quake struck at 6:23 p.m. ET at a depth of about 6 miles below ground, about 130 miles south-southwest of George Town, Cayman Islands, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.Scientists have detected several thousand earthquakes, the vast majority of them with small magnitudes, in just over two weeks near Greece's volcanic island of Santorini, the University of Athens' crisis management committee said Tuesday, adding that a larger quake cannot be ruled out. The highly unusual barrage of earthquakes which began in late January has alarmed authorities. They have declared a state of emergency on Santorini, one of Greece's most popular tourist destinations, deploying rescue crews with drones and a sniffer dog and putting coast guard and navy vessels on standby.Spotlight:  Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr., professionally known as Irv Gotti or DJ Irv, was an American record producer. He co-founded the record label Murder Inc. Records in 1998, which was an imprint of Def Jam Recordings. More News:  Blaine and Diane Smith were hurt but unsurprised when a Georgia superior court judge ruled last week that a railroad company could seize their land, despite their refusal to sell.  For nearly two years, they have been fighting to stop Sandersville Railroad Co., a 130-year-old, white-owned business, from building a 4.5-mile rail spur through a historically Black neighborhood in rural Sparta. The company initiated eminent domain, which is a process that allows the government to seize private property for public use.Feature Story:  Here is a review of the pre-show, the game and the halftime show.

Learn about this week in America's Black History.

Learn about this week in America's Black History.

Breaking: Atlanta pastor is supporting a boycott against Target starting in March; is this the right approach for this era?Green watch: Over 200 earthquakes have hit the region near a series of Greek islands; the undersea volcano could be active.Spotlight: Dr. Carter G. Woodson was more than just the father of Black History Month ...More News: President Trump signed the Black History Month proclamation, just as he did in his first term.Feature: The Grammy Awards may have had less viewers, but some historic wins by Black artists are notable --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------With news publishers, Cheryl Smith, Julia Ann Dudley Najieb and Brigitte Jones, get the latest breaking, political and other news from a Black perspective, new episodes live on Tuesdays: 4:00 PM PST/6:00CST/7:00 PM EST.

BREAKING:  The White House is pausing federal grants and loans starting Tuesday as President Donald Trump’s administration begins an across-the-board ideological review of its spending, causing confusion and panic among organizations that rely on Washington for their financial lifeline.GREEN WATCH:  Egg prices have steadily risen in recent months due to a spike in bird flu; outbreaks in egg-laying chickens are affecting the national supply, driving up costs.SPOTLIGHT:   Rapper DJ Unk, who was best known for the bouncy early-2000s crunk hit "Walk It Out," has died at age 43.MORE NEWS:  Social media posts have suggested that President Trump moved to end the official observance of Black History Month, but there is currently no official order or directive to literally “cancel” Black History Month from the President.FEATURE:  Over 42.1 million Americans, about 13% of all families, receive SNAP benefits. More than 1 in 4 of the households enrolled in the program include someone who is earning at least some income.

Breaking: Shocking winter storm brings snow from Texas to the Gulf of Mexico and to Northern Florida is up to four inches.Spotlight: Martin Luther King, III gives us tips on how to "Realize the Dream" before his father's 100th birthday; here is what we all can do in service.More News: Mississippi Valley State University marching band raised over $300,000.00 to attend the presidential inaugural celebration; was it the best spend? Here's how they did ...Feature: For historically Black Altadena, the combined wildfire loss of generational wealth and personal heirlooms is indescribable, says CNN. Here's more on how those fires burned up Black wealth in Southern California.

BREAKING: California wildfires become political while residents suffer.Millions flee Haiti as civil war brews among gangs.GREEN WATCH:  Florida to reach subfreezing temperatures over the next coming week.SPOTLIGHT:  The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. remains honored despite the irony of the federal holiday January 20, 2025.MORE NEWS:  MSNBC president, Rashida Jones, steps down after four years as the cable company splits its programming assets.FEATURE:  Insurance companies escape California dread after dropping many residents several months before due to the high risk of fires.

BREAKING: Jimmy Carter, the 39th president, died on Dec. 29 at the age of 100 — living longer than any president in U.S. history, serving from 1977 to 1981. His beloved wife of 77 years, Rosalynn, died in November 2023.GREEN WATCH:  More than 120 people have been killed after a powerful earthquake struck a remote region of Tibet on Tuesday morning, with tremors felt across the Himalayas in neighboring Nepal, Bhutan and parts of northern India. The 7.1-magnitude quake struck at 9:05 a.m. local time at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) and was followed by multiple aftershocks, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).Africa Is Splitting Apart: A New Ocean Is Forming Faster Than Anyone Predicted:  A dramatic transformation is unfolding in Africa as tectonic forces drive the continent toward the formation of a brand-new ocean. At the heart of this shift lies the East African Rift System, a massive network of faults and fissures that is reshaping the region’s geography at an accelerated pace. With tectonic plates separating faster than previously thought, scientists are uncovering surprising details about the future of this phenomenon—but the full story of its impact on Africa’s landscape and ecosystems is even more astonishing.SPOTLIGHT:  Jewel Rodgers appointed as first African American Nebraska poet laureate:  Gov. Jim Pillen appointed Omaha author and performer Jewel Rodgers as Nebraska's new state poet. Rodgers, 27, is the youngest and first African American person to hold that position.MORE NEWS:  Meta said on Tuesday that it was ending its longstanding fact-checking program, a policy instituted to curtail the spread of misinformation across its social media apps, in a stark sign of how the company was repositioning itself for the Trump presidency and throwing its weight behind unfettered speech online.FEATURE:  The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans encourages people to avoid large amounts of alcohol and suggests sticking to two or fewer drinks daily for men and one or fewer drinks a day for women. Yet, the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s newest Advisory suggests that even small amounts of alcohol could be harmful and may increase your risk of developing cancer.