Source: Erika Goldring / Getty Gunna Gets Honored With His Own Day In Chicago Gunna is seriously raking in the accolades. On Saturday, August 3, the College Park, Georgia native announced that he was being honored with his own day in Chicago. Joining his most recent honor of being inducted into the 2019 X XL Freshman Class , the rapper shared his latest bit of good news on his Instagram Story. The photo he posted shows the decry, which was granted on behalf of the Community Schools Initiative. “On Sat. Aug. 3, 2019, Chicago Illinois South Shore International College Preparatory High School would like to proclaim today Gunna Day!” the letter reads. “In tribute to your first ballot hall of fame music career on and off the stage and your wonderful work providing billions of youth around the world to have the audacity to hope against all odds.” The rapper finished off the post by writing “Thank you so much Chicago” over the image. @1GunnaGunna got his own day in Chicago #gunna #gunnamedia pic.twitter.com/6iqshSExHe — GUNNA.MEDIA (@GunnaMedia) August 4, 2019 Gunna’s latest honor coincides with his appearance in Chicago for his performance at Lollapalooza. Congrats to Gunna on having his very own day in Chicago!
Amber Portwood continues to make very strong insinuations and accusations on social media. The embattled Teen Mom OG star, who was arrested on July 5 for felony assault against Andrew Glennon, took to her official Instagram account one month after this incident and seemed to make a very bold claim. What did she say? What should we take from this since-deleted message? And how might this affect the case against Amber going forward? Scroll down to help us figure out the answer to these pressing questions… 1. Remember How Amber and Andrew’s Fight Started? We don’t need to rehash the entire morning of the arrest here, but it took place on July 5. The coupld allegedly got into an argument a few hours after they hit traffic and therefore missed out on a July Fourth fireworks show. 2. From There? Amber went off on Andrew, he told police, throwing a shoe at his head and eventually taking a machete to a closed bathroom door, behing which Andrew was hiding with 14-month old son James. 3. It Got Really Bad Andrew told the cops that he feared for both his life and the life of James, who he was holding in his arms at the time. 4. What Has Amber Said About the Arrest Itself? Nothing at all. We’re sure she has to keep quiet for legal reasons, but sources have said she denies the machete part of this story and that she DID throw a shoe at Glennon, but it barely grazed his face. 5. What Has Amber Said About Andrew? That’s a different story. She has seemingly shaded him on multiple occasions, perhaps trying to subtly offer up a few reasons for her alleged attack. 6. For Example? Portwood posted this meme on Instagram, only to delete it a short while later. Was she stating that Glennon had been cheating on her? View Slideshow
Source: Mario Tama / Getty Glendon Oakley Talks #ElPasoShooting, Saving Scared Children The #ElPasoShooting isn’t just “another mass shooting”, 20 people were shot dead and 26 others were struck with bullets and were left bleeding to the floor of Walmart. That reality isn’t lost on Glendon Oakley. The heroic off-duty Army serviceman was inside the store when the massacre began and drew his licensed gun to help usher scared children to safety. He spoke to the media about his brave act and he made it clear that he wants no parts of the “hero” title. In fact, what he saw in Walmart this week will likely torment him for the rest of his life. Press play below to see what he has to say. God bless this brotha. Hopefully, he and the rest of the victims’ families can find peace one day.
A ctress Keke Palmer has broken several barriers in the realm of entertainment. She was the first Black person to play the role of Cinderella on Broadway and she also made history as television’s youngest talk show host five years ago. The Illinois-bred star recently hit another major milestone in her career. According to Deadline , she landed a deal with ABC to join the daytime talk show Strahan and Sara . Keke Palmer Nears Deal To Join ‘Strahan And Sara’ As Third Co-Host https://t.co/dwYv9QWSvb pic.twitter.com/gXiyncyWsa — Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) August 1, 2019 Palmer has made several guest appearances on the show hosted by former NFL player Michael Strahan and journalist Sara Haines . She was filling in for Haines while she was on maternity leave. Cognizant of the great chemistry displayed between the hosts, the show’s producers decided to give Palmer a permanent role. The Strahan and Sara team hopes that her presence on the daytime talk show will attract a younger audience. “Keke has been so much fun filling in, so they decided to make her an offer,” an individual involved in the deal told Page Six . “The audience knows her and she’s got great chemistry with both [hosts].” The deal is slated to be finalized soon. Palmer hopes that her journey will inspire Black youth to reach for the stars. “I just want them to know that they can achieve many things if they believe that they can,” she said in an interview with BET . “I know that sounds like a cliche or maybe even corny, but honestly it is the truth, you must believe that all things are possible. Having faith is so important.” The 25-year-old has several other projects in the works. She released a new single dubbed “Twerk N Flirt” on August 2. She also stars in the upcoming movie Hustlers with Cardi B and Jennifer Lopez . The film is slated to hit theaters this fall. SEE ALSO: #BlackGirlMagic: Simone Manuel Makes History At FINA World Championship Serena Williams Invests In Startup Focused On Maternal Health [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3882606″ overlay=”true”]
B lack scholars across the country are displaying excellence and making history in the process. According to WLFI , Amber Johnson recently became the first Black woman to earn a doctorate in computer science at Purdue University. Amber Johnson, a two time HBCU alumna just became the first African-American woman to earn a PhD in Computer Science from Purdue University. #HBCU4Life #AKAXO #AKA1908 #LemoyneOwenCollege #LOCMagicians #JacksonStateUniversity #TheeILove https://t.co/QDPFzl2iuh — Xi Omega AKA (@akaxo) August 3, 2019 Johnson’s passion for technology developed at an early age. She received her first computer before she turned 10 and enjoyed fixing tech gadgets. She took her love for tech into adulthood and earned an undergraduate degree in computer science from LeMoyne-Owen College and her master’s degree from Jackson State. While pursuing her Ph.D. in computer science at Purdue she was mentored by Dr. Raquel Hill who was the first Black woman to earn a computer science Ph.D. from Harvard 17 years ago. Dr. Hill hooded Johnson during her graduation ceremony. For Johnson, representation in STEM is important. She is using her journey as an avenue to inspire others; similar to how Dr. Hill inspired her to break barriers in computer science. “I don’t look the stereotypical computer scientist,” she told The Exponent in a statement. “You don’t find many black women in this academic space. This is what computer science can look like.” Outside of her studies, Johnson has been dedicated to paying it forward and empowering the next generation of tech leaders. She volunteers with Black Girls Rock Tech and Girls Who Code. As far as her next chapter, Johnson will serve as a software engineer at Northrup Grumman; a company focused on defense and aerospace technology. Dr. Hill is beyond proud of Johnson’s accomplishment. “It’s not just for us, it is for others,” she said in a statement. “It’s for others to actually see us and understand what they are able also to accomplish.” SEE ALSO: #BlackGirlMagic: Graduate Receives Master’s Degree, Law Degree In Same Week Dr. Patrice A. Harris Officially Becomes American Medical Association’s First Black Woman President [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3882606″ overlay=”true”]
R epresentation matters. Earlier this week Philadelphia children gathered in awe around the newest addition to West Passyunk’s Smith Playground; a statue inspired by the late legendary athlete Ora Washington . According to CBS Philly , the sculpture—dubbed “MVP”—was added to the park as a part of Philly’s 60th Anniversary of the Percent for Art Programs. The statue is inspired by Philadelphia athlete Ora Washington. https://t.co/tZI3jz542O — CBS Philly (@CBSPhilly) July 31, 2019 The statue—which was created by Brian McCutcheon —stands at 5 foot 4 inches tall and depicts a young girl playing basketball. Washington, a Philadelphia native, broke barriers on both the tennis and basketball courts. While playing basketball for the Germantown Hornets, she led them to a national women’s title in 1930 and helped them earn 33 consecutive wins the following year. She also played with the Philadelphia Tribune Girls between the years of 1932 and 1942. Her athletic abilities went beyond the basketball court. Often referred to as the “Queen of Tennis,” she won the American Tennis Association’s national singles title eight times and won 12 straight double championships; marking her place in history as a sports legend. Bringing the plan for the statue to fruition was a collaborative effort between the Percent for Art Program, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Make the World Better Foundation, and Councilwoman Kenyatta Johnson . Leaders of the initiative hope that the sculpture will inspire youth—specifically young girls—to realize their dreams. “The children and teens that come to Smith Playground everyday can see and be inspired by this powerful sculpture that looks like someone in their community,” Kelly Lee , Philadelphia’s Chief Cultural Officer, told Patch in a statement. “My hope is, like the Rocky statue, MVP will become a local destination where people will come, replicate the pose, take photos, or selfies and if only for a moment feel like a MVP – a most valuable player.” Throughout the years Washington has received several posthumous accolades for her accomplishments in sports. In the 1980s she was inducted into Temple University’s Sports Hall of Fame. She also has been inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Basketball Hall of Fame. SEE ALSO: New Book Highlights The Legacy Of Black Cyclist Marshall Taylor Black Teacher Gives Students Haircuts For Graduation [ione_media_gallery src=”https://newsone.com” id=”3883319″ overlay=”true”]
OK, so Ryan Edwards … Look, there's just always so much to discuss when it comes to this guy, you know? There's the drug addiction, all the arrests, his troubled relationship with ex Maci Bookout and her family, his weird relationship with his own family, all the ins and outs of his marriage with Mackenzie Standifer … Yeah, it's a lot. But today, we're just going to try to focus on a couple of those categories, namely his relationship with his family and the drug stuff. Because there are several new photos of Ryan going around, and lots of people see them as proof that he's using again. 1. Oh, Ryan … Ryan has been through a lot this year, right? And there’s still a good bit left to go. 2. Another Arrest Remember, he spent the first part of it in jail after being arrested in January for skipping out on a bar tab. 3. Seriously, a Bar Tab? And yeah, the bar tab itself might not have been a huge issue — Mackenzie did say that she paid it, and it wasn’t a ton of money or anything either. 4. Do Better, Ryan The issue was that he was on probation already for drug charges. He spent those few months in jail for violating his probation. 5. Oh, Also This And those few months must have felt like an extra long time for Mackenzie, who had been alone for a few months just before that while he was gone to rehab. 6. To Be Fair … But we have to remember that Ryan is a heroin addict, and while it may be tough for him to be away from his family for long stretches in rehab and/or jail, at least that means he’s not away from them forever in a coffin. View Slideshow
Source: Moelyn Photos / Getty 3 People Were Killed In Cliff Collapse At Beach Near San Diego A popular beach for surfing was closed on Saturday after a cliff collapsed, killing at least three people. According to reports from NBC News , the cliff collapsed at around 3 p.m. and ended up trapping several people on the beach in Encinitas near San Diego. A woman died at the scene, while two more died later at hospitals. Another person was taken to a hospital, and a person who had minor injuries was treated at the scene, according to statements from the city. Because the scene was so dangerous, police actually had to stop searching for additional victims. They are now using K-9’s in the search , according to local news reports. One of the boulders that fell was said to be 7 or 8 feet by 4 feet. The cliff was on Grandview Beach, a popular surf spot among locals and vacationers. This beach was absolutely filled with people at the time of the collapse–which isn’t surprising, because it’s the middle of the summer. A KNSD-TV helicopter captured footage of beach chairs, towels, surfboards and beach toys strewn about the sand. Suburbs north of San Diego have contended with rising water levels in the Pacific Ocean, pressuring bluffs along the coast. Some bluffs are fortified with concrete walls to prevent multimillion-dollar homes from falling into the sea. Long stretches of beach in Encinitas are narrow strips of sand between stiff waves and towering rock walls. People lounging on beach chairs or blankets are sometimes surprised as waves roll past them and within a few feet of the walls. Cliffside collapses are not unusual as the ocean chews away at the base of the sandstone, according to authorities. Some beach areas were even marked with signs warning of this exact danger. Several people have been killed or injured over the years in similar bluff collapses. The San Diego Tribune reported that a resident of Encinitas died near the same area back in 2000, when a 110-yard-wide chunk of bluff fell and buried her.
Source: NurPhoto / Getty Man Strangles Sister During Fight Over Wifi Password According to Fox 8 , a Georgia teen was just sentenced to life in prison after being was found guilty in the strangling death of his sister during a fight over a wifi password. Kevon Watkins, 18, was allegedly arguing with his mom about the internet at their home. Watkins, who was then 16, reportedly changed the password so he could play video games without others using the internet . Watkins and his sister, Alexus Breanna Watkins (22) began to fight and their mother called for help when she couldn’t separate them. Watkins placed a chokehold on her for about 15 minutes. He didn’t remove the hold until police commanded him to and it was then that authorities noticed her body was lifeless. She was pronounced dead at the local hospital. Watkins waived his right to a jury trial and chose to have a Bibb County judge hear testimony. He was found guilty of felony murder. NEW MUGSHOT: This is 18-year-old Kevon Watkins of Macon, who was sentenced to life in prison today after being found guilty of strangling his 20-year-old sister to death during a fight over WiFi. https://t.co/LlIoQFDQLd pic.twitter.com/2bbupu9GIC — WGXA (@WGXAnews) August 2, 2019
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Dayton, Ohio Mass Shooting Another mass shooting has happened in the United States in less than 24 hours. After 21-year-old Patrick Crusius of Allen, Texas killed 20 people and injured 26 at a Walmart in El Paso , a gunman opened fire in Dayton, Ohio. NBC News reports that 9 people are dead and 26 injured after a gunman wearing body armor and armed with a rifle and high-capacity magazines opened fire on a line of people waiting to get inside Ned Peppers Bar in Dayton’s Oregon District. Police responded to the scene quickly, in less than one minute, and killed the gunman whose been described as a “heavyset” white man. Dayton mayor Nan Whaley noted police’s quick response but wondered why the mass shooting happened. “If Dayton police had not gotten to the shooter in under a minute – and think about that, nine killed and 26 injured in under a minute – hundred of people in the Oregon District would have been killed,” Whaley said during a press conference. “Clearly, the question has to be, why does Dayton have to be the 250th shooting in America?” Whaley said. “Two hundred and fifty this year. El Paso was 249, Dayton was 250.” This is all so, so crazy and of course, deranged Dorito is offering nothing but “thoughts and prayers” for the people of Texas and the people of Ohio. Today’s shooting in El Paso, Texas, was not only tragic, it was an act of cowardice. I know that I stand with everyone in this Country to condemn today’s hateful act. There are no reasons or excuses that will ever justify killing innocent people…. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2019 ….Melania and I send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the great people of Texas. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2019 The FBI, local and state law enforcement are working together in El Paso and in Dayton, Ohio. Information is rapidly being accumulated in Dayton. Much has already be learned in El Paso. Law enforcement was very rapid in both instances. Updates will be given throughout the day! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2019 What do YOU think about two mass shootings happening in less than 24-hours in America??? Gunshots in Dayton, Ohio, started to ring out shortly after 1 a.m. in the Oregon district, leaving people running for their lives. Anthony Reynolds, an eyewitness who was at the scene of the Dayton shooting, recalls the shocking scene. pic.twitter.com/jGndCQLHGW — TODAY (@TODAYshow) August 4, 2019
