The Whitsdom Press

Tag: trending

  • How Changes in Loan Eligibility Affect Careers in Therapy, Education, and Nursing

    Let me speak on this as a Black woman who worked hard for her Master’s degree in Education. I’ve been in these classrooms. I’ve sat in those IEP, ARD, and PLC meetings where we fight to get our students the help they need.

    I’ve been reading about what the Department of Education is planning for 2026 and they are trying to pull a fast one. They are changing the rules on who gets to borrow money for school, and it’s going to hurt the people who need help the most.

    Here is the plain truth about what’s going on.

    1. They Downgraded the Important Jobs

    For a long time, degrees like Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Teaching were respected as “Professional Degrees.” That meant the government knew these schooling programs were expensive, so they let you borrow the money you needed to finish.

    Now? They are taking that title away.

    They are saying that being a Nurse, a Physician Assistant, or a Therapist is just a regular “Graduate Degree.” They are keeping the “Professional” title for doctors, dentists, and lawyers. Basically, they are saying our work—the work of caring, teaching, and healing—isn’t in the same league. And that is a lie.

    2. What Does This Mean for Your Pockets? (The Loans)

    Let me break the money part down so it makes sense.

    How it used to work: If you wanted to go to school to be a Nurse Practitioner or an Occupational Therapist, and the school cost $60,000 a year, the government would basically say, “Okay, we got you. Here is a loan for the full amount.”

    How it’s gonna work now: Under these new rules, the government is saying, “We are capping you.” They might only let you borrow about $20,500 a year.

    Now, you do the math. If school costs $60,000, and they only lend you $20,000, where are you supposed to get that other $40,000?

    I’ll tell you what happens:

    • You have to go to a private bank (and get charged crazy interest).
    • Take out a private loan and be even more in debt.
    • Or, you just don’t go to school.

    This means only rich people—people who have $40,000 sitting around in their daddy’s bank account—will be able to become nurses or therapists. It pushes us out.

    And just thinking at random…

    3. What Happens to the Special Needs Kids?

    There are kids who have trouble walking, students who can’t hold a pencil because of their motor skills, or can’t speak clearly. They rely on:

    • Occupational Therapists (OT) to help them learn to write and button their shirts.
    • Physical Therapists (PT) to help them move without pain.
    • Speech Pathologists to help them talk.

    If regular folks can’t afford to go to school to get these degrees because the loans don’t cover it, who is going to be there to do the therapy?

    We are already short on staff. If you make it too expensive to become a therapist, there won’t be any therapists left. And when there are no therapists, who suffers? The kids. Specifically, Black and Brown kids in underfunded schools. Our babies will be sitting on a waiting list for services they never get.

    4. Who Will Take Care of Grandma?

    It ain’t just the kids. If you have an elderly parent who has a stroke, they need PT and OT to learn how to walk and eat again.

    If the Department of Education makes it impossible for regular people to afford these degrees, we won’t have enough people to help our elders recover. It’s a ripple effect. You hurt the students, you hurt the patients over time.

    The Bottom Line

    They are trying to save money. They are cutting the credit limit for the people who do the actual work of caring for society. They are telling us this. Unless you are becoming a rich doctor or lawyer, they aren’t going to front the bill for your education.

    If you are considering returning to school for Nursing, Education, or Therapy, you should examine those numbers now. And we need to be loud about this, because our community cannot afford to lose any more of our essential people in the Human Business.

    Here are a few direct links to sources and news reports covering these changes (as of November 2025), broken down by what they explain.

    News & Breakdowns (Best for General Understanding)

    Official Statements from Professional Associations

    The “Fine Print” (Financial Details)

    • NASFAA (Financial Aid Administrators):Making Sense of the Student Loan Changes from OBBBA’s RISE Committee
      • Why read this: This is the technical explanation from the financial aid experts. It explains the “HEAL” list (Health Education Assistance Loan) history and why the Department of Education is using such an old definition of “professional.”

  • November SNAP Benefits at Risk Due to Shutdown

    The ongoing federal government shutdown, which began on October 1st, 2025, has reached a critical juncture. As November 1st, 2025, approaches, millions of Americans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, are facing the immediate threat of delayed or suspended benefits.

    Here is a breakdown of what the prolonged shutdown means for your November SNAP benefits and how you can prepare.

    The SNAP Benefit Suspension on November 1st

    The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is 100% federally funded. Due to the lack of an approved budget and the continuation of the government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees SNAP, has informed state agencies that there are insufficient federal funds to issue the November 2025 SNAP benefit allotments.

    The Key Takeaway: New SNAP benefits for November will be delayed or suspended until a budget resolution is passed by Congress and signed into law.

    • No New Benefits: The USDA has directed states to temporarily suspend the issuance of November 2025 SNAP benefits. This means the money you normally receive on your EBT card at the beginning of November will not be deposited as scheduled.
    • A First-Time Interruption: This marks the first time in over six decades that SNAP benefits have been interrupted due to a government shutdown, highlighting the severity of the current fiscal impasse.

    Using Existing SNAP Funds: What You Can Still Do

    While new benefits for November are on hold, it is crucial to understand what is not affected by the suspension:

    What is Unaffected by the SuspensionWhat is Affected by the Suspension
    Existing EBT BalanceNew November Benefit Deposit
    Any funds remaining on your EBT card from October or previous months are safe and can be used to purchase food as usual.The regular monthly deposit of your November SNAP benefit allotment will not be made on your scheduled date.
    SNAP Application ProcessingBenefit Issuance
    State agencies are still accepting and processing new SNAP applications and required paperwork (recertifications, change reports).Even if approved, you will not receive any new SNAP benefits for November until federal funding is restored.

    Important Note: SNAP recipients are strongly advised to budget and conserve any remaining funds on their EBT cards.

    Preparing for the Uncertainty: Resources and Next Steps

    The uncertainty surrounding the shutdown and its impact on food security is creating immense stress for millions of families. Here are immediate steps you can take:

    1. Look to Community Food Resources

    Local food banks, pantries, and community-based organizations are the most immediate source of support during this crisis.

    • Dial 2-1-1: In many states, 2-1-1 is a one-stop source for finding local health and human services, including food assistance programs.
    • Contact Local Food Banks: Search for local food banks in your area by zip code. Many are working to fast-track food aid to offset the SNAP shortfall.

    2. Stay Informed with State Agencies

    Your local state agency (often the Department of Social Services or Health and Human Services) is the primary source for updates specific to your area.

    • Do not Reapply: If you are an active recipient, do not submit a new application. This will not speed up your benefits and may cause confusion.
    • Continue Requirements: You must continue to meet all program requirements, such as reporting changes and completing recertification paperwork, to ensure your eligibility when the government reopens.

    3. Know Your Rights for Retroactive Payments

    Should the government shutdown end later in November, missed benefits are typically issued retroactively. Once funding is restored, state agencies will work quickly to disburse the full November allotment to all eligible recipients.

    A Call for Resolution

    The suspension of SNAP benefits places a huge strain on the approximately 42 million Americans who rely on the program to put food on the table. As the shutdown continues past the critical November 1st deadline, pressure is mounting on Congress and the administration to resolve the budget impasse and restore this vital lifeline to families across the nation.

    Stay tuned to official state and federal government websites for the latest, verified information on the SNAP benefit restoration date.

    Contact Information

    The best way to find the official contact information and website for your state is to use the directory provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service:

    On that page, you can select your state or territory to find:

    • The official state website for SNAP.
    • Application information.
    • Contact details for your local SNAP office.

    General SNAP Contact Information:

    If you are having trouble finding your state’s information, here are some general resources:

    • USDA National Hunger Hotline: Call 1-866-348-6479 for immediate help with food resources.
    • 2-1-1: Many states use this number as a general resource line to connect callers with social services, including SNAP.
    • EBT Card Balance: To check the balance on your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, you can usually call the number on the back of your card or visit the state’s EBT portal (which is often linked from the state directory above). For many states, this is done through a general EBT system like ebtEDGE.com or by calling 1-888-EBT-SNAP (1-888-622-7328).

  • Final Fugitive Caught: Derrick Groves Captured in Atlanta

    The long search for convicted murderer Derrick Groves ended dramatically in Southwest Atlanta, Georgia, on Wednesday, October 8th. Groves, the very last inmate on the run from a major jailbreak in New Orleans, was caught after a stand-off with police. His arrest closes a long race for law enforcement.

    New mugshot of Derrick Groves

    Dramatic End to the Manhunt in Atlanta

    Authorities, including the U.S. Marshals and the Atlanta Police SWAT team, surrounded a home in southwest Atlanta after getting a tip. Groves had been hiding there for some time. After hours of trying to get him to come out, officers fired gas into the house. Groves was later found by a police dog hiding in a small crawl space in the basement. He was arrested without anyone getting hurt.

    When police led the prisoner away, Groves, who was barefoot and shirtless, smiled and blew a kiss at the camera, a shocking reaction that quickly spread online. He is now being held in the Fulton County Jail and will be sent back to New Orleans soon.

    Who is Derrick Groves and What Were His Charges?

    Derrick Groves, 28, was one of the most dangerous of the men who broke out. He has a long history of violent crime.

    • Main Crime: Groves was convicted of second-degree murder in October 2024. He was found guilty of using an assault rifle to shoot at a family party on Mardi Gras in 2018, killing two people (Jamar Robinson and Byron Jackson) and injuring several others. He was facing a possible life sentence without parole.
    • Past Charges: Court records show Groves, who goes by the street name “Woo,” sold heroin as a teenager and faced federal drug charges. He was involved in at least four killings over an 18-month period. He also later pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges in connection with a separate double killing in 2017.
    • Family Connection: Groves is the grandson of a New Orleans woman, Kim Groves, who was famously murdered in 1994 by a corrupt police officer after she filed a brutality complaint against him.

    The New Orleans Jailbreak and the Capture of All Ten Fugitives

    Groves was part of an unusual mass escape from the Orleans Parish Justice Center in New Orleans on May 16. Ten inmates escaped by breaking through a faulty cell door, taking a toilet off the wall, and crawling through a hole behind it. They then climbed a barbed-wire fence and escaped onto the highway. The escape went unnoticed for hours.

    The New Orleans Jail Escapees

    This major jailbreak led to a huge, multi-state search for all ten men.

    • Quick Captures: Many of the escapees were caught quickly, most of them within New Orleans or Louisiana. Three of the men were caught the same day as the escape.
    • Other Escapees: The other nine inmates who escaped were: Antoine Massey, Jermaine Donald, Leo Tate, Lenton Vanburen, Kendall Myles, Gary Price, Corey Boyd, Robert Moody, and Dkenan Dennis.
    • Manhunt: While nine were brought back into custody within about six weeks (one was caught as far away as Texas after a car chase), Derrick Groves stayed on the run for nearly five months, making him the target of a high-reward, nationwide search until his arrest in Atlanta.
    • Inside Help: Investigators believe the escape was an inside job. A jail maintenance worker was arrested for turning off the water to the toilet, and a former jail employee (who was Groves’ girlfriend) was also arrested and charged with helping to plan the escape.

    All ten inmates will now face extra charges for simple escape, which can add between two and five years to their original prison time. Groves’ capture means that every single person involved in the jailbreak is now back in custody.

  • Say Her Name: Renia Lewis, Vallejo, CA

    We must Say Her Name: Reneia Lewis.

    Renia Lewis was a young, vibrant woman whose life was tragically cut short. Her story is a heartbreaking reminder of the violence against women that often goes unnoticed. Renia, only 28, was described by her family as vibrant and family-oriented. She loved cooking and being with her loved ones. She lived in Berkeley but often visited Vallejo, California, to see her friends and relatives. She deserves to be remembered for the beautiful person she was, not just for the shocking circumstances of her death.

    Renia was last seen on a Friday night, September 26, 2025. When her mother, Terry Lewis, didn’t hear from her by Sunday, the family grew deeply worried. They used the Life 360 app and tracked her last known location to 14th Street in Vallejo. The family did not wait; they launched their own search. In a deeply unsettling discovery, her phone was found on a roof, immediately setting off alarm bells for foul play.

    Police initially searched a home on 14th Street after the missing person report. However, their initial cursory check found no signs of Renia. Days later, detectives returned to the house after obtaining a search warrant based on new information. Neighbors described the house as a messy, cluttered “hoarder home.” This is when they made the chilling discovery. Renia’s remains were in a concealed entry in the attic. They were hidden behind a secret wall. Her cousin, Latoya Lewis, stated, “You would miss it. My baby girl was hidden behind a wall. It was a secret wall they placed her behind.”

    Investigators believe that after bringing Lewis to the residence on Friday, Shaw killed her and dismembered her body before concealing the remains behind the hidden wall in the attic. The Solano County District Attorney’s Office is now handling the case, and Shaw is being held in Solano County Jail awaiting further proceedings.

    On the same day her body was found, police arrested 41-year-old Douglas Irwin Shaw on suspicion of murder. He was apprehended at his workplace, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Authorities later reported that Shaw confessed to killing Renia with a knife. The case raised further concerns when it was revealed that an ex-girlfriend of Shaw’s had previously needed a restraining order against him in 2023.

    The loss has devastated Renia’s loved ones. Her mother collapsed when she received the news, sharing the pain of a prayer that went unanswered. Police Chief Jason Ta called her death a “heartbreaking senseless act of violence that has no place in our community”

    For more details on this case, you can watch the full report from the Law&Crime Network: Missing Woman’s Remains Hidden in Hoarder Home

  • The 2026 Grammys: A Simple Guide to the Early Buzz

    The 68th Annual Grammy Awards are already generating serious buzz! While the show, set for February 1, 2026, is months away, the music world is already deep into the process of submitting work and making predictions. If you don’t follow music awards closely, the whole thing can seem confusing, so we’ve broken down the biggest talk points in simple terms.

    Who’s Making the Biggest Play? Kendrick Lamar and Pop Royalty

    In the major categories like Album of the Year (AOY) and Record of the Year, a few heavy-hitters are dominating the conversation.

    • Kendrick Lamar is seen as a top contender. His latest album, “GNX,” is widely predicted to be a major challenger for Album of the Year. This is a big deal because, even though he’s won many Grammys, he has never won AOY for one of his own projects. He’s also submitted his popular track “Luther” (featuring SZA) for Record and Song of the Year. Separately, his song “Like That” and his featured part on Beyoncé’s “AMERIICAN REQUIEM” have also been submitted.
    • Lady Gaga is predicted to grab multiple nominations, especially for her new work, “Mayhem”. Some analysts even think she could lead the pack in total top-category nods.
    • Sabrina Carpenter is another star in the mix and could land major nominations.
    • Other artists expected to contend for the biggest awards include Bad Bunny and Billie Eilish.

    The Best New Artist Race: New Talent Hits the Big Time

    The Best New Artist (BNA) award is always a thrilling category because it shines a light on fresh talent. This year, the race is wide open!

    • Two names you’ll hear a lot are Alex Warren and Sombr. Alex Warren is considered a front-runner, especially after his hit single “Ordinary”. Sombr is also gaining serious buzz from viral success.
    • Other possible nominees include Addison Rae, Ella Langley, The Marías, and Lola Young.
    • There’s been a rule change that now makes more artists eligible for BNA. To be considered, an artist must have released a minimum of three singles or one album, but no more than three albums total

    The Simple Guide to Grammy Voting 🗳️

    The Grammys aren’t a popularity contest voted on by fans; the winners are chosen by music professionals. The voting process happens in clear stages:

    PhaseDateWhat It Means
    First Round VotingOctober 3 – October 15, 2025Music pros vote to choose the official nominees for each award.
    Nominations AnnouncedNovember 7, 2025The full list of who made the cut is released.
    Final Round VotingDecember 12, 2025 – January 5, 2026Voters pick the final winners from the list of nominees.
    Grammy CeremonyFebruary 1, 2026The world finds out who won!.

    ✨ Final Thoughts

    The countdown is on, and the 2026 Grammys are looking like one for the books. Expect big performances, emotional wins, and maybe a few upsets too. Whether you’re team Kendrick, team Gaga, or just here for the music, this show’s about to deliver.

    So tell me — who you rooting for this year?

  • The Feds Got Diddy! He’s Sentenced to Four Years and Change!

    Whew, chile! You know we gotta talk about the biggest mess that rocked the culture. For months, we’ve been watching the drama unfold, but now, the courts have dropped the final hammer on Sean “Diddy” Combs. It’s time to spill the real tea on his sentencing and break down exactly what got this mogul locked up.

    The Lawsuit That Blew the Whistle (The Civil Suit)

    Remember last year? That whole thing started with Cassie Ventura. She was brave enough to file a major lawsuit against Diddy, outlining years of terrible things—we’re talking serious allegations of abuse and assault. The minute that lawsuit went public in November 2023, the world stopped. Diddy thought he could sweep it under the rug with cash. They settled the case in less than 24 hours. Why so fast? Because rich men use money to stop the bad news. Period. A settlement is not a criminal punishment—it’s just a cash deal. But that one lawsuit opened the floodgates for everything else.

    The Feds Came Through: Why Diddy’s Face Card Bounced (The Criminal Trial)

    The lawsuit was just the appetizer. The real drama was the federal government coming for him with criminal charges. After a whole trial, the jury finally delivered the news everyone was waiting for. He managed to get off on the huge charges like sex trafficking and racketeering. He may have avoided life in prison, but he couldn’t dodge everything. The jury found him GUILTY on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. This is under a federal law called the Mann Act. Basically, they got him for taking people across state lines for sex stuff.

    The Sentence

    Now for the main event: the sentencing that just happened. A federal judge ordered Sean “Diddy” Combs to serve four years and two months (50 months) in prison for those prostitution-related crimes. He also has to pay a massive $500,000 fine.

    The defense tried to get him out right away, talking about his charity work and how he was sorry. But the judge was like, “Nah, this man had the power to keep hurting people, and he didn’t stop.” This sentence is all about accountability and sending a message. The message wasn’t strong enough in my opinion, because FOUR YEARS???

    Diddy is no longer the music mogul who “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop.” He’s a convicted felon, and the reign is officially over. That’s the tea.

  • Cardi B and Nicki Minaj got the X Streets Hot!

    The rivalry between two of hip-hop’s biggest female superstars, Cardi B and Nicki Minaj, has once again boiled over. It has turned into a vicious social media war on X (formerly Twitter). The rivalry started as a long-standing industry competition. It has now reached shocking new levels. This escalation involves deeply personal insults about family and children.

    The Early Days: From Respect to Rivalry

    In the beginning, Cardi B was an up-and-coming star. She openly expressed admiration for Nicki Minaj, the reigning queen of rap. However, as Cardi’s star rose at a meteoric rate with “Bodak Yellow,” the dynamic shifted. The first signs of tension appeared online, with fan bases clashing and subtle, often-deleted, shady comments made on Instagram Live. The core issue? There is a perceived battle for the top spot. This occurs in a male-dominated industry that often has room for only one woman at a time.

    The Infamous 2018 Harper’s Bazaar Event: The Heel Throw Seen ‘Round the World

    One of the most pivotal and documented moments in their feud happened off-social media but was endlessly dissected online. During New York Fashion Week in 2018, the two were involved in a physical altercation at a Harper’s Bazaar party.

    As detailed in numerous viral video breakdowns, the incident allegedly started over a disagreement concerning parenting and past comments. The confrontation escalated, culminating in Cardi B lunging at Nicki Minaj, and famously, a shoe was thrown. Cardi B later stormed out of the event with a visible knot on her head. The paparazzi footage of her, furious and explaining her side, became an instant meme and news story.

    The Spark: Album Sales and Subliminal Shots

    The feud officially flared up. It appeared that Nicki Minaj was mocking the commercial success of Cardi B’s new album. Nicki posted a deleted image referencing a “$4.99” promotional price and questioned the first-week sales numbers.

    This initial shade quickly moved into personal attacks, with both “rap queens” trading severe low blows.

    • Nicki’s Attacks (The Slugs): Nicki clowned Cardi’s lyrics, calling the Grammy winner “Barney Dangerous” and mocking her new song, “Magnet”. She also took a personal shot at Cardi’s pregnancy, calling her a “barefoot and smelly liar with a big belly”.
    • Cardi’s Counter-Attacks: Cardi B immediately fired back, roasting Nicki by bringing up family controversies, including Nicki’s convicted brother. She also accused Nicki of allegedly needing fertility treatments and questioned her ability to reproduce.

    Cardi also tried to shut down the comparison entirely. She told Nicki she should compare herself to peers who started their careers around the same time. Cardi stated that she was still in high school when Nicki first gained fame.

    The Unthinkable: Weaponizing Children and Family

    The conflict drew widespread condemnation. Both artists crossed a major taboo in celebrity beefs. They dragged their children into the fight. Commentators, including the hosts of The Breakfast Club, called the attacks on the children “irresponsible on both women’s part”.

    The confrontation became shocking when insults were traded regarding their kids:

    • The First Dig: The argument reportedly coincided with Nicki Minaj’s son, Papa Bear’s, birthday. Cardi B mocked Nicki for dedicating “essays” to the feud online instead of celebrating her child. Cardi wrote: “You haven’t even cut your kid’s cake yet… you must have took your first line of the day”.
    • The Low Blows: In a dangerous escalation, Nicki tweeted “Barney B and Culture Vulture.” She directly referenced Cardi B’s daughter, Culture. Cardi warned Nicki not to mention her children. The conversation then allegedly saw Nicki Minaj call Culture “ugly“.
    • The Shocking Response: Cardi B’s final response was shocking. She accused Nicki of allegedly abusing drugs. Cardi B claimed, “your son is nonverbal cuz you effed him up with drugs.” She suggested the insult came from jealousy.

    Final Thoughts

    Many mothers of non-verbal children felt Cardi was wrong. They believed that speaking on Nicki’s son, who allegedly has disabilities, was inappropriate, especially concerning children with autism. Nicki knew her child had disabilities before calling Cardi’s kids ‘monkeys’. She chose to log on Twitter on her kid’s birthday to pick a virtual fight with Cardi. She targeted Cardi’s children and got scolded for crossing the line. Cardi was wrong for engaging with Nicki and bringing up Nicki’s child as well.

    I posted an article a few days ago about Black Women weaponizing each other on social media and using their kids as weapons. This is no different. Stop using your kids as weapons.

  • A Dark Secret in Maryland’s Backyard

    Behind an old jail for kids in Maryland, there is a field. This is not a normal field. It is a graveyard. But there are no headstones. No names. No flowers. Instead, there are just small metal stakes with numbers on them. This is where hundreds of Black boys were buried. They died while locked up at the Cheltenham Youth Detention Center in Prince George’s County. For a long time, this was a secret. Now, people are finding out. And they are asking hard questions about how this could happen.

    What Was Cheltenham?

    Cheltenham was a place where boys who got in trouble with the law were sent. It opened a long time ago, in the 1870s. Most of the boys sent there were Black. The stories from inside were bad. Boys faced cruel treatment and lived in dirty, crowded places. They were often there for small crimes, like stealing bread. One report says a boy was sent there for just riding a freight train.

    The Boys Buried in the Field

    The boys buried in the field died between the late 1800s and the 1950s. The number of graves is shocking. One report says there are 230 bodies buried there. Another says 63. Either way, it is a lot of young lives lost. How did they die? Some got sick with diseases like tuberculosis. But many died from horrible neglect and abuse. One news report shares a story from 1955. It tells of a 15-year-old boy who died after being put in a straitjacket for days. This was used as punishment. His body was just buried in the field. The state of Maryland knew about these deaths, but they did nothing to stop it. They just buried the boys with numbers, not their names.

    Why Was This Kept a Secret?

    This graveyard was hidden because the boys were seen as unimportant. They were poor, Black, and had no one to speak for them. The system treated them like problems, not people. When they died, the state did not call their families. They just buried them on the property. It was cheap and easy. It was a way to hide the evidence of their bad treatment. For decades, officials knew about this place. But they did not tell the public. They let the grass grow over the graves.

    People Are Fighting for the Truth

    Now, lawmakers and community groups are fighting for these boys. They want to give them their names back. They are looking through old records to find out who each boy was. The goal is to put real headstones with their names on the graves. A state lawmaker who visited the site called it “horrible neglect.” He said it is proof of a deep racism in the system that we must face. This is not just about the past. It is about today. We still have a problem where Black boys are treated more harshly than white boys by the police and courts. Remembering these boys helps us see that this is an old problem. And it reminds us to fight for a better, fairer system for all kids.

    A Place of Remembering

    That field in Maryland is more than just dirt. It is a place of deep sadness and a broken promise. Each number in the ground was a child. A child with a name, a family, and a story that was cut short. By learning their story, we can finally give these boys what they were denied in life and death. We can offer them respect. We also promise that they will not be forgotten again.

  • Oklahoma Education: Bible and Turning Point Clubs

    Oklahoma’s State Superintendent, Ryan Walters, is making significant changes to public high schools. These changes are focused on adding new clubs and altering classroom lessons. The goal is to bring specific conservative values into the education system.

    One major change involves a political group called Turning Point USA. Superintendent Walters wants every high school to have a Turning Point USA club. These school clubs are often called “Club America.” The group’s goal is to support students who believe in conservative ideas. Walters has stated that schools must allow these clubs. He has suggested that schools refusing to do so could lose state funding. A spokesperson for the group said their mission is to find and train students who believe in freedom. Supporters see this as a way to balance other viewpoints in schools. However, critics question why the state is forcing one specific political club onto schools, especially when other conservative clubs may already exist.

    Another change involves the role of the Bible in classrooms. Walters has instructed schools to include the Bible and the Ten Commandments in their teaching. He argues that the Bible is a vital historical document that students need to understand. To support this, he has even purchased special Bibles for classrooms. This move is very controversial. Many people believe it violates the constitutional separation of church and state. They argue that public schools, as government institutions, should not be promoting one religion over others. This issue is already being challenged in Oklahoma’s courts.

    Together, these changes represent a major shift in Oklahoma’s approach to public education. They have started a strong debate across the state. People are discussing the proper role of schools and how to balance different beliefs. The situation highlights a national conversation about what students should learn and who gets to decide. 

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOFndFlim5o&w=600&h=450]

    Isn’t Oklahoma rated the lowest (or close to it) in national education statistics? Nevermind…whatever works for the students to be successful in the future society, I guess.

  • Update on Trey Reed’s Death in Mississippi

    The case of De’Martravion “Trey” Reed, has continued to draw attention across Mississippi and the nation. The 21-year-old student was found hanging from a tree on the Delta State University campus on September 15, 2025. His death has raised serious questions, and both state officials and the family are taking steps to find answers.

    Autopsy Completed

    The Mississippi state medical examiner recently released an autopsy report ruling Trey’s death a suicide. According to the findings, there were no broken bones, bruises, or other signs of physical assault. Local investigators also supported this conclusion, stating that there was no evidence of foul play in the case.

    Family Seeks Independent Review

    Despite the state’s findings, Trey’s family has made it clear that they are not satisfied with the official explanation. They have hired civil rights attorney Ben Crump to lead an independent investigation into the death. The family has also requested a second autopsy, saying that too many questions remain unanswered.

    Former NFL player and activist Colin Kaepernick is stepping in to help by funding the independent examination through his Know Your Rights Camp Autopsy Initiative. This support will give the family another chance to review the evidence with outside experts.

    “Trey’s death evoked the collective memory of a community that has suffered a historic wound over many, many years and many, many deaths. Peace will come only by getting to the truth. We thank Colin Kaepernick for supporting this grieving family and the cause of justice and truth,”Crump said.

    Questions About How the Case Was Handled

    Family members have also expressed frustration with how they were first informed about Trey’s death. They said they were originally told that he had been found in his dorm room, but later learned he was discovered hanging outside near the school’s pickleball courts. That confusion has fueled even more suspicion about how information is being shared with them.

    Officials at Delta State have said that surveillance video related to the case exists and has been reviewed by investigators. The family is demanding access to this video, believing it could be critical to understanding what really happened.

    Calls for a Federal Investigation

    The case has also gained political attention. U.S. Representative Bennie Thompson has called on the FBI and the Department of Justice to open a federal investigation into Trey’s death. Civil rights groups, including the NAACP, have also raised concerns, pointing to Mississippi’s long history of racial violence and the need for complete transparency.

    What Happens Next

    While the state has officially ruled Trey’s death a suicide, the family and their legal team are pressing forward with their independent review. The results of the outside autopsy are expected to provide more clarity in the coming weeks. In the meantime, community members, activists, and students at Delta State are continuing to demand answers.

    The story of Trey Wright’s death is still developing. For now, his family says they will not stop fighting until they know the full truth about what happened to him.