Author: Melodi Blackmon, DI

Melodi Blackmon is a writer, Virgo, wife, and an Atlanta native. She recently earned her Associates Degree in Mass Communications this summer. She is also a Digital Intern with Black News Alerts. Follow her on her social media to get to know her more.

After Republicans in the North Carolina state government re-illustrated the maps for legislative districts in 2017, it was announced on September 3rd that North Carolina had officially ruled in favor of the state’s constitution. What We Know: “Our heads are spinning here in North Carolina,” said Bob Phillips, the Executive Director of Common Cause North Carolina. “This is a huge win for the voters of North Carolina.” @CommonCauseNC posted a tweet regarding the decision. https://twitter.com/CommonCauseNC/status/1168982318054350855?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1168982318054350855&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2F2019%2F09%2F03%2Fnorth-carolina-judges-toss-maps-partisan-gerrymandering%2F2204294001%2F The state constitution says that partisan gerrymandering refers to redistricting the favors of one political party to carry on the U.S. tradition that began in…

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On September 4th, The Walt Disney Company announced that they will be donating over $1 million to Bahamian residents due to the horrific aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. What We Know: The donation is being pushed by the Disney Cruise line. Disney owns a private island in the Bahamas named Castaway Cay and the native Bahamians that live there work at some of the island’s attractions and resorts. Hurricane Dorian has been lingering over the Bahamas for days now and has caused major damage as well as flooding. Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger expressed his concern by stating “We hope…

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Director/actor Nate Parker has apologized for being ‘tone-deaf’ about his college assault scandal. What We Know: Three years ago, Parker was preparing for his first directorial debut, the Nat Turner biopic, The Birth of A Nation. It was during this time when one of Parker’s skeletons came out the closet: his 17-year-old sexual assault case that he was acquitted for, before his Hollywood days. On Sunday, September 1st, at the Venice Film Festival, Parker expressed that his comments from three years ago have been ‘a learning experience’. “I feel like I have gained so much wisdom from people in my…

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A wedding venue in Mississippi has refused to rent to an engaged, interracial couple. What We Know: The couple had been making wedding preparations with Boone’s Camp Event Hall for a week before the owners put a complete stop on the festivities. After finding out the unfortunate news from her brother and soon to be sister-in-law, LaKambria Welch, decided to pay the venue a visit. Welch, a Mississippi State student posted the following video (August 31) to her Facebook account, as well as, had it shared via Twitter. https://twitter.com/Awstzn/status/1167896128542539781?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1167896128542539781&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bet.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2F2019%2F09%2F02%2Fmississippi-wedding-discrimination.html “First of all, we don’t do gay weddings or mixed race…

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TSA has reversed its ban on the Star Wars bomb themed bottles. About a week ago, a random traveler tweeted to @AskTSA stating, “I know these look dodgy, but can they be packed in a suitcase? Thanks.” What We Know: @AskTSA responded back by saying, “Thanks for asking! Replica and inert explosives aren’t allowed in either carry-on or checked bags.” TSA Public Affairs Representative Thomas Kelly also reaffirmed this statement to USA Today. According to the Star Wars franchise website, the “thermal detonators” are compared to “grenade-like weapons that pack tremendous explosive power into a small sphere and are used by…

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Marriott Hotels have plans to reduce its environmental impact. What We Know: Beginning with their toiletries, Marriott International announced yesterday that they will replace the tiny, single-use shampoo, conditioner, and bath gel bottles into larger, pump-topped bottles. As of today, Marriott Hotels have begun rolling out the larger bottles at about 1,000 of their properties in the United States. They plan to have all hotels transition over by December 2020. “This is our second global initiative aimed at reducing single-use plastics in just over a year, which underscores how important we believe it is to continuously find ways to reduce our…

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Sen. Tim Scott says that Democratic candidates of 2020 are trying to ‘dupe’ black voters with racism. What We Know: In an interview with Fox News’, “The Story”, Sen. Scott expressed, “This is an opportunity for the Democratic Party to try to figure out a way to dupe the African-American voters, not only in South Carolina but, around the country because they really have nothing but, empty promises to run on.” Sen. Scott currently serves as the junior U.S. Senator from South Carolina’s first district, meaning he chooses committee assignments, as well as, physical offices. After Will Hurd resigns, Scott…

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In 1979, our forever President Barack Obama was hitting all the shots at Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii. Now, in 2019, there is news that an unidentified collector has officially paid $120,000 to be the new owner of Mr. Obama’s old high school jersey. What We Know: Mr. Obama was not only a member of the Punahou varsity boys basketball team but, he also won 44 games in this jersey and in 1979, they became Hawaii State Champions. Earlier this summer, Mr. Obama’s jersey was selling for $25K before being raised to almost five times the original price. Peter Noble,…

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Summer 2019 was officially coined #HotGirlSummer by Houston, TX native and rapper, Megan Thee Stallion. With school starting back this month, Megan surprised everyone by saying she will be returning back to classes for the fall semester at Texas Southern University! What We Know: The “Cash Sh*t” rapper is a 24- year-old junior at TSU. Megan is studying health administration and hopes to open assisted-living facilities within her hometown. Before the H-town Hottie gained a huge following, she used to write her verses to songs in between classes last year. On Instagram, she shared a video of herself in an empty classroom…

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Over seventy-eight thousand people have reportedly signed a petition, recalling the new Weight Watcher’s app. What We Know: Kurbo is an app invented by Weight Watcher’s that is supposed to help kids and teens, within the age range of eight to seventeen, reach a healthier weight. Initially the app seemed like a good idea, especially with America having the highest obesity rate. Unfortunately, some parents and nutritionists feel that the app is too focused on weight loss and could easily hurt the kids’ relationship with food. Kurbo uses the Traffic Light System, which separates foods into red, yellow and green…

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