Black Headline News

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.

BREAKING:  Bird flu is on the rise in animals and house hold pets; scientist are worried about the transference to humans, which a few cases seem possible already.Dinga Dinga is a mystery virus causing excessive body-shaking in hundreds of Ugandanaians. The condition, predominantly impacting women and girls, is characterized by fever and excessive body shaking, which severely hampers mobility.GREEN WATCH:  The Vanuatu archipelago face billions of dollars worth of damage after the 7.3 magnitude earthquake and the host of 6..0+ aftershocks affecting the region. SPOTLIGHT:  Jamiee Foxx tells riveting story thru Netflix performance release this December.  The six Triple Eight movie captures forgotten American history, where Black women soldiers help save the morale of American soldiers; it was also released on Netflix.Also, Kwanzaa is just around the corner:  here are the seven principlesMORE NEWS:  Americans have loss confidence in the country's court system; this news article from the AP explains whyFEATURE:  Shocking data about older Black men born between 1951-70 shows a prevalence of death due to drug overdosesHosts close out with important holiday messages.

BREAKING NEWS: The Madison, Wisconsin 15-year-old school shooter is now deceased, but questions arise about the root of this teen's anger.Green Watch Breaking: Poverty-stricken French Island, Mayotte, one of the 18 regions of France, has been severely damaged by Cyclone Chido over the weekend where many residents have not been found.Meanwhile, San Francisco, Calif. had its first ever tornado warning; however, Scotts Valley endured a tornado that touched down as an EF1 with 90 MPH peaked winds, causing severe damage in a short amount of time.Lead Story: FBI sends out another warning regarding our daily technology, this time it is not about the fake election videos hacked by Russians; instead, FBI warns iPhone and Android users not to send text messages.As the glue to fit all the pieces together, the hosts show a clip from Dr. Egon Cholakian-endorsed documentary film, The Impact. The film touches heavily on the direct disinformation campaign and manipulations to control populations with their own words, technology and fear. The Black Headline News Talk Radio show will be watching an excerpt each week concerning the movie. 

BREAKING:Penny acquitted in NYC subway chokehold trialChinese gold mining operation threatens protected UN heritage site in the CongoGREEN WATCH:  US Department of Defense is concerned about Climate Change in AfricaSPOTLIGHT:  The Nickel Boys movie is releases this weekendMORE NEWS:Treasury Department Treasury Department may fine small businesses $10,000 or more if they don't file this new reportLead Story: Biden Administration appoints 40 Black women federal judges

Breaking Stories:  A complaint filed with the Department of Education alleges that programs for men of color at least eight California State University campuses — including Cal Poly — violate federal civil rights law.A Third Woman Died Under Texas’ Abortion Ban. Doctors Are Avoiding D&Cs and Reaching for Riskier Miscarriage TreatmentsPost Election:    Black rural voters felt neglected by the Democratic PartyGreen Watch:  Gary Indiana air toxic.Lead Story:  More Black doctors are needed; the cost is outrageous to attend school

GREEN WATCH: Saudi Arabian desert gets historic snowfall: Saudi Arabia’s Al-Jawf region has witnessed its first-ever recorded snowfall, blanketing the desert with snow for the first time in history. This rare phenomenon follows intense rain and hailstorms that swept across the kingdom, transforming parts of the arid landscape into a winter scene more typical of colder climates.POSTELECTION NEWS: Pamela Goodwine makes history as first Black woman on the Kentucky Supreme Court; she became the first Black woman to serve on the Kentucky Court of Appeals after being elected in 2018.Now, she’s made history again. Goodwine won her election to the Kentucky Supreme Court, where she will again be the first Black woman, by defeating Lexington attorney Erin Izzo.(The Guardian) The US will have two Black women serving as senators for the first time in US history, with the election of Lisa Blunt Rochester from Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland.Blunt Rochester, a congresswoman from Delaware, will be the first woman and Black senator to represent the state. Alsobrooks, a former county executive and prosecutor who beat out the state’s former Republican governor in a tight race, is the first Black senator from Maryland.Three other Black women have served in the US Senate , including Carol Moseley Braun, Kamala Harris and Laphonza Butler. There has never been more than one Black woman in the Senate at a time.Blunt Rochester, who was also the first Black person and first woman from Delaware elected to Congress, highlighted those women in a victory speech during a Tuesday evening election party where she was greeted by supporters chanting “LBR”.

Recap Part 1: The Black Headline News live broadcast of the November 5 election included news commentary during the broadcasts with BHN Talk Radio Show news hosts, Cheryl Smith, Brigitte Jones and Julia Ann Dudley Najieb, along with special guest hosts, Ashley Ann, a social media influencer, and Harrison Chastang of KPOO Radio 89.5 FM.