Current Events
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Eugene Henley Jr., also known as Big U, is reportedly a prominent leading figure in the infamous Rollin’ 60s Crips gang. Big U was charged this week in a 43-count indictment that includes RICO charges, extortion, and more.The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California issued a press release via the U.S. Department of Justice website’s Central District of California website segment. In the press release, Big U and six other defendants were named in the sweeping indictment, and the charges all stem from federal investigators alleging that Henley used intimidation and street violence to get others to bend to his will.
From Justice.gov:
Eugene Henley, Jr., 58, a.k.a. “Big U,” of the Hyde Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, is charged with one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, two counts of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery and extortion (Hobbs Act), one count of Hobbs Act robbery, nine counts of attempted Hobbs Act extortion, five counts of Hobbs Act extortion, one count of transportation of an individual in interstate commerce with intent that the individual engage in prostitution (Mann Act), 15 counts of wire fraud, five counts of embezzlement, conversion, and intentional misapplication of funds from an organization receiving federal funds, one count of bank fraud, one count of tax evasion, and two counts of willful failure to file a tax return.
Also named in the state’s indictment release were:
Sylvester Robinson, 59, a.k.a. “Vey,” of Northridge;Mark Martin, 50, a.k.a. “Bear Claw,” of the Beverlywood area of Los Angeles;Termaine Ashley Williams, 42, a.k.a. “Luce Cannon,” of Las Vegas;Armani Aflleje, 38, a.k.a. “Mani,” of Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles;Fredrick Blanton Jr., 43, of South Los Angeles; andTiffany Shanrika Hines, 51, of Yorba Linda.
Investigators pointed to Henley’s alleged operations hub, known in court documents as Big U Enterprises, for being similar to the Mafia’s style of using violence, extortion, robbery, and even murder to advance the will of the organization.
“As the indictment alleges, Mr. Henley led a criminal enterprise whose conduct ranged from murder to sophisticated fraud that included stealing from taxpayers and a charity,” Acting United States Attorney Joseph McNally shared in the press release. “Eradicating gangs and organized crime is the Department of Justice’s top priority. Today’s charges against the leadership of this criminal outfit will make our neighborhoods in Los Angeles safer.”
As seen in the indictment that was handed in on March 26, investigators say that from 2010 until March of this year, Henley’s power and influence extended beyond gang and street culture and expanded into the entertainment world. There have been swirling reports of Henley sanctioning high-stakes gambling meetups, trafficking sex workers across state lines, fraud, and more. Henley allegedly used his status a longtime member of the Crips and the respect it garnered to exact his will.
Henley, Robinson, and Martin would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the racketeering conspiracy count. The bank fraud charge levied against can carry up to 30 years in federal prison.
Read the full indictment here.
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Photo: Paras Griffin / Getty
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Source: Memphis PD / Memphis Police Department
According to reports, the Memphis Police Department has identified their person of interest in the shooting of rapper Sauce Walka, aka Albert Walker Mondane, and his protege, Sayso P, aka Latorian Hunt, outside of a downtown hotel last weekend. A warrant was issued for the arrest of Jayden Dandridge, 21, for the shooting. Dandrige is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, and auto theft.
A surveillance video captured the scene outside of the Westin Memphis Beale Street Hotel down the road from the FedEx Forum Saturday (March 22) where two gunmen emerged from a white 2021 Dodge Charger Scat Pack 392 at 2:40 p.m. before running up to Sauce Walka and Sayso P standing by a Black Escalade. Sayso P can be seen falling to the ground after gunfire rings out. Sauce Walka was injured and Sayso P succumbed to his injuries at the scene. In an interview with Houston news network KHOU 11, Sauce Walka’s father, confirmed that his son was hit in the thigh. “Had it not been for God, my son would’ve been dead,” he continued.
Memphis Police Officers would later tell reporters that the Dodge Charger was stolen. The car was found shortly after the incident. The warrant for Dandridge was announced alongside a $6,000 reward offered by the MPD for any information leading to his arrest. The incident is another unfortunate circumstance surrounding Sauce Walka. The Houston, Texas, native was connected to an incident involving a gun during a Trae Tha Truth concert in 2009. He was linked to gang activity by local police in 2018, a claim which he denied in a report by the Houston Chronicle, saying: “I know that I’m a record label, I know that I’m an artist… I’m not into gang activity or any of that stuff.”
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President Donald Trump hosted an event this week at the White House for Women’s History Month and honored some of the top women officials in his administration. During the event, President Donald Trump referred to himself as the “fertilization president” after highlighting his stances on in vitro fertilization (IVF), causing some on X to recoil in disgust.
On Wednesday (March 26), President Donald Trump held a Women’s History Month event and heaped praise upon Attorney General Pam Bondi and other key women who work alongside him. This happened in the wake of an executive order signed on Tuesday (March 25) to expand the policy on IVF access and reduce costs to patients.
The executive order is largely ceremonial, as it suggests that a domestic policy aide has three months to share recommendations to IVF policies, the Trump administration is using this moment as a time to gloat. In short, the executive order does not lower the costs of IVF or provide any inroads to helping those seeking reproductive care, but what has some turning their heads is Trump’s words regarding the order.
“We’re going to have tremendous, tremendous goodies in the bag for women too, the women between the fertilization and all of the other things that we’re talking about,” Trump said in the White House’s East Room. “It’s going to be, it’s going to be great.”
Trump added, “I’m still very proud of it, I don’t care. I’ll be known as the fertilization president, that’s not bad, that’s not bad. I’ve been called much worse.”
It appears that the president coined the nickname on the spot, and the words garnered laughter from the attendees. However, over on X, formerly Twitter, reactions to President Trump’s IVF stances and new nickname were not as favorable.
We’ve got those reactions below.
[h/t MSNBC]
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Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty
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Source: BROWARD SHERIFF’S OFFICE / Broward Sheriff’s Office
Another rap related legal battle is underway. Sean Kingston and his mother’s fraud trial has commenced, and she has already requested a new lawyer.
As reported by XXL, the Jamaican performer and his mother are finally in court in hopes of clearing their names regarding some very serious wire fraud charges. On Monday (March 24), their trial begun with the typical jury selection process. According to NBC News, the pool started with 45 prospective jurors but was eventually narrowed down to 12 jurors; nine women and four men with one alternate to be on standby. But the following day, Sean’s mother Janice Turner formally requested new representation because “she could not get along with her previous counsel.”
After the session closed for the day Sean Kingston and his mother exited the court and headed to their ride. Janice was spotted holding a bible in her hand and did not answer any questions. Sean on other hand was gracious enough to send a message to his supporters. “All my fans that supported, I love you guys,” he said. The two were both arrested by federal authorities back in May 2024 on fraud charges. Prosecutors claim they swindled several businesses out of pricey items by using fake documentation like wire transfers and payment transfers. Some of the purchases included a $86,000 bed, a Cadillac Escalade SUV valued at $159,701.49 and various pieces of jewelry totaling $480,000.00.
If found guilty they both could face up to 20 years in prison.
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Madison Square Garden is owned by a larger entertainment group that oversees the famed venue, along with other properties such as Radio City Music Hall. A patron was barred from entering a Madison Square Garden Entertainment property this week over designing a t-shirt that read “Ban Dolan” back in 2017.As spotted in The Gothamist, Frank William Miller Jr., a notable graphic designer with credits with major brands and record labels, was hoping to take his parents out for their 47th wedding anniversary at Radio City Music Hall. However, facial recognition software used by MSGE and implemented by owner James Dolan flagged Miller over an act that occurred back in 2017.
Miller designed a “Ban Dolan” shirt, which he says was created in response to Dolan banning New York Knicks legend Charles Oakley from Madison Square Garden.
“I just think it’s amusing that a lowly thousandaire like myself is living rent free in a billionaire’s head,” Miller told the outlet regarding his ouster while trying to attend a Cleo Sol concert with his parents. “The only part that really bothers me is that my mom was crying.”
Adding to this, Miller never wore the shirt, and instead, it was worn by a friend of his who attended a Knicks game and was booted from the venue in 2021. Miller was apparently unaware that Dolan and MSGE had banned him from all their venues despite the generally simple explanation for the shirt.
Miller took the incident in stride and urged his parents to enjoy the show without him, but didn’t allow MSGE’s code of conduct violation ban sour him from speaking his mind.
“These venues are bigger than his ownership — they were here before his family owned them,” Miller stated. “They belong to the people, maybe not legally, but the Knicks, Radio City… It’s just crazy.”
Support Williams’ work here.
—Photo: Erik McGregor / Getty
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Source: Marvel Studios / Avengers: Doomsday
Marvel Studios did something entirely different by announcing that Avengers: Doomsday is in production and revealing the highly anticipated comic book movie with a huge cast.
X, formerly Twitter, was buzzing when the Marvel Studios account went live, leaving fans wondering what big announcement was coming. Little did they know they were in for five hours of watching chairs with names lined up to reveal who would be in the film.
The live stream began at 8 am PT Wednesday with Disney-owned studio slowly revealing each cast member by playing accompanying music associated with their characters while placing down the chairs.
Millions of fans tuned in to the 5 hour live stream in hopes their patience would eventually be rewarded, but nope, it was just chairs, and it also just proved how much of stranglehold Marvel Studios still has on the culture.
Out of all of the 27 cast members announced, there was only one person in the exceptionally large soundstage, Robert Downey Jr. himself who was revealed to be playing Dr. Doom in the Russo Brothers directed superhero epic.
Almost Everybody And Their Momma’s Are In Avengers: Doomsday
Some of the names revealed to be in the film should have come as a surprise, especially to those who follow Marvel Studios. Those names include:
Chris Hemsworth as Thor
Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm / Invisible Woman
Anthony Mackie as Captain America
Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes
Letitia Wright as Shuri / Black Panther
Paul Rudd as Ant-Man
Wyatt Russell as John Walker / U.S. Agent
Tenoch Huerta Mejía as Namor
Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm / Thing
Simu Liu as Shang-Chi
Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova
Lewis Pullman as Sentry
Danny Ramirez as Falcon
Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm / Human Torch
David Harbour as Red Guardian
Winston Duke as M’Baku
Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost
Tom Hiddleston as Loki
Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic
Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom
The biggest surprised had to be the announcement of the return of OG X-Men from the Fox movie franchises, Patrick Stewart (Professor X), Ian McKellen (Magneto), Alan Cumming (Nightcrawler), James Marsden (Cyclops) and Rebacca Romijin (Mystique).
A huge surprise was the announcement of Channing Tatum reprising his role of Gambit we met in Deadpool & Wolverine which was a hit. So clearly he did make a name for himself.
Glaring Ommissions
There were some glaring omissions, no Halle Berry Famke Janssen, or Anna Paquin. Also, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman were also missing plus, fans couldn’t help but bring up Chris Evans, the original Captain America in the MCU.
But chances are high that Kevin Feige has plenty up his sleeve in terms of cameos and other easter eggs when it comes Avengers: Doomsday, so we don’t think these announcements begin to scratch the film’s surface.
But, like with the poster reveal for Avengers: Endagame which became a hilarious meme, the cast reveal for Doomsday has also spawned jokes with users on X, formerly Twitter adding random pop culture characters to the film’s cast.
Lol bruh.
You can always count on social media to deliver some laughs.
Hit the gallery below for more reactions to the Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal.
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Source: Getty Images / LeBron James / Stephen A. Smith
The LeBron James versus Stephen A. Smith “beef” has become more comical.
In his 22 seasons, LeBron James has given all indications that he gives zero f***s and is clapping back at anyone who he feels did him or his family dirty or has some wild takes.
James has clearly grown tired of ESPN workhorse Stephen A. Smith constantly talking about him, but the final straw was the analyst talking about James’ firstborn son and now Los Angeles Lakers teammate Bronny James, which led to a now-infamous confrontation that Smith can’t seem to stop revisiting.
The Chosen One got Stephen A. Smith in his feelings again after he stopped by The Pat McAfee Show and addressed Smith’s behavior following the incident.
“He’s on a Taylor Swift tour run right now. It started off with ‘I didn’t wanna address it, but since the video came out, I have to,’” James told McAfee, explaining the ongoing beef with the sports pundit, who is now dipping his toes into politics.
James continued, “Never would I not allow people to criticize players about what they do on the court. That is your job. That’s all part of the game. But when you get personal with it it’s my job to not only protect my damn household but protect the players,” James says before imagining the pundit’s reaction to the clip. “He’s going to be smiling from ear to ear when he hears me talking about him. He’s gonna get home and get some ice ream out of the f-cking freezer and sit in his chair in tighty whiteys on the couch. Like, dude, relax.
Stephen A. Smith Says He Would Have “Swung On” James
Of course, Smith would have something to say on the matter, and he responded via his podcast, The Stephen A. Smith Show, where he spent the entire show blasting James, even claiming he would have “swung on” the professional hooper if things got physical.
He also added that he’s pretty sure he would have gotten his “ass kicked” by James if the two were to have thrown hands.
“When he approached me sitting courtside at that game against the New York Knicks, when he rolled up on me I didn’t know he was gonna roll up on me,” Smith said. “I had no idea, but when he said what he had to say I was in no position to give any kind of retort without making a scene. It was during the third quarter, it was fresh out of a timeout, it was him walking to the basketball court. It was on national television, the cameras were rolling and had I done something what do ya’ll want me to do? You want this to be a reincarnation of Chris Rock and Will Smith?”
“And let me state for the record while we bring up that, let me assure you it wouldn’t have gone down like that. I would have gotten my ass kicked because if that man put his hands on me I would’ve immediately swung on him. Immediately. That I’m not going to tolerate,” he continued.
Nobody Believes You, Stephen A. Smith
As expected, everyone is clowning Stephen A. Smith. LeBron James didn’t waste time responding via Instagram, sharing a video of Smith participating in boxing training and looking ridiculous.
James’ Cavaliers teammate, Kevin Love, even got in on the action.
LOL.
Stephen A. Smith is looking quite foolish. You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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@BeanzGotGamez / Erykah Badu
Many believed Erykah Badu was down for the cause. The legendary singer claimed she vandalized her own Tesla in protest of Tesla chief Elon Musk. She was only kidding.
Protests of Musk’s electric vehicle company continue to break out across the nation and globally, with citizens setting fire to the once popular EV, the charging stations and vandalizing Tesla dealerships in response to him ruining government workers’ lives in the name of “efficiency” and “cost-cutting” measures.
Badu revealed on X, formerly Twitter, that she, too, got in on the action but instead did some damage to her own Tesla vehicle.
“Just vandalized my own Tesla. Trying to stay on trend,” the “Bag Lady” singer wrote on Musk’s platform.
Many wondered if she was being serious or was capping as big as the hats she is known for wearing. Turns out she was only kidding.
“Stop playin . This was humor . This stupid . And y’all dumb. If I was even slow enough to participate in the misplaced Tesla debate and smash somethin Id pay a minion to do it . FOH,” she wrote in another post, sharing a photo of an article.
Welp.
We don’t know about the debate being “misplaced.” There is a legitimate beef going on with Phony Stark; we’re just saying.
We hope Ms. Badu is well aware of the millions of people affected by Musk and DOGE’s ridiculous cuts to government agencies and the harm being inflicted on people in this country.
This all comes as she preps to release her first studio album in 15 years. Oh, and we must mention that it will be produced by The Alchemist.
This ain’t the type of stuff to kid about, just saying.
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Source: Getty Images / Greg Abbott / Jasmine Crockett
Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett continues to get under the skin of MAGA Republicans. The snowflakes are now BIG MAD after the Texas congresswoman referred to Governor Greg Abbott as “Hot Wheels.” X was quick to remind them of their blatant hypocrisy.
Republicans are clutching their pearls and pounding their fists on their desks in anger after Jasmine Crockett referred to Greg Abbott, who uses a wheelchair, as “hot wheels.”
Their bellyaching comes as they were loudly silent as Elon Musk referred to a user on his platform as a “chickensh*t “R” word” as well as other people he disagrees with.
Republicans also didn’t seem to care when the leader of their party, Donald Trump, mocked New York Times reporter Serge Kovaleski, who has a disability.
Fox News reports that one Republican, Rep. Randy Weber, plans to introduce a resolution to censure Crockett. “Meanwhile, the actions of Jasmine Crockett – stooping to vile levels of discrimination and despicable political attacks – are nothing short of reprehensible,” Weber said to the news outlet.
Jasmine Crockett Defends Her Use of “Hot Wheels”
Crockett has responded to the “outrage” and defended her use of the term.
“I wasn’t thinking about the governor’s condition—I was thinking about the planes, trains, and automobiles he used to transfer migrants into communities led by Black mayors, deliberately stoking tension and fear among the most vulnerable. Literally, the next line I said was that he was a “Hot A** Mess,” referencing his terrible policies. At no point did I mention or allude to his condition. So, I’m even more appalled that the very people who unequivocally support Trump—a man known for racially insensitive nicknames and mocking those with disabilities—are now outraged,” Crockett wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
She continued, “Keep that same energy for all people, not just your political adversaries. Finally, this is yet another distraction. Instead of obsessing over and hanging on to my every word, maybe my political foes should focus on doing the work of the people who elected us to improve their lives.”
Crockett also shared a link to a story about Abbott spending $148 million bussing migrants to other parts of the country.
Social Media Is Siding With Jasmine Crockett
Jasmine Crockett can also count on social media to have her back as they are pointing out the hypocrisy and many instances of Republicans resorting to name-calling, racist remarks, and other egregious behavior.
“Stop with the performative outrage MAGA. You’re not offended by Jasmine Crockett calling Greg Abbott, Governor Hot Wheels. You had no issues with voting in a rapist, racist, habitual liar and felon into the presidency. I thought y’all liked it when people tell it like it is?,” one user on X wrote.
Another user on X wrote, “Don’t let Jasmine Crockett calling Greg Abbott “Governor Hot Wheels” distract you from his desire to take healthcare away from Texas women & children. Don’t let that distract you from how his state is 41st in education.”
We here at HHW and iOne Digital don’t rock with ableists. Still, in this case, we see the jig with Republicans, especially the same group of Republicans who have referred to Crockett as “ghetto” and “loud.” We are currently whitewashing the country by getting rid of DEI.
Just saying.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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The Atlantic picked up what some might consider the scoop of the year after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly shared war plans on the unsecured Signal messaging app. Included in the chat was The Atlantic‘s editor in chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, and the publication published the full text chat after top officials in President Donald Trump’s administration testified in front of Congress that the information within was not classified.
As seen in The Atlantic, Goldberg was included in a Signal group chat that included Hegseth and U.S. national security advisor to President Trump, Mike Waltz. Waltz unintentionally added Goldberg to the discussion of plans to attack Yemen’s Houthis group, and the text chain included names, details, and expected results of the attack. Goldberg made his media rounds after breaking the story, but previously did not include some of the more sensitive details of the Signal chat.
However, testimony from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stated that the plans discussed in the chat were not classified in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday (March 25). CIA Director John Ratcliffe added in separate testimony that the chat details were not classified, and President Trump stood by that claim. Hegseth also denied that the discussion was about war plans.
With that testimony on record, the publication saw fit to publish the entire chat to allow the public to make their own determination of the facts and to push back against the attacks from Trump officials that The Atlantic is lying about what the chat is.
“The statements by Hegseth, Gabbard, Ratcliffe, and Trump—combined with the assertions made by numerous administration officials that we are lying about the content of the Signal texts—have led us to believe that people should see the texts in order to reach their own conclusions. There is a clear public interest in disclosing the sort of information that Trump advisers included in nonsecure communications channels, especially because senior administration figures are attempting to downplay the significance of the messages that were shared,” Goldberg and fellow journalist Shane Harris wrote.
The White House is attempting to downplay and discredit Goldberg’s assessment of the war plans, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attacking the publication’s decision to frame the chat “attack plans” instead of “war plans,” as initially reported and framed that as a retraction.
“The Atlantic has conceded: these were NOT ‘war plans.’ This entire story was another hoax written by a Trump-hater who is well-known for his sensationalist spin,” Leavitt wrote on X.
On X, many are reacting to The Atlantic calling the Trump administration and its de facto war council’s bluff by publishing the full Signal chat. Check out those reactions below.
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Photo: Getty