Author: 1man1vote

Dayton Honors 2025 Inductees

Dayton Region Walk of Fame Honors 2025 Inductees: Rob Lowe, Vic Cassano Sr., Original Lakeside, the Levin Family, and Jenell Ross

 

On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, civic leaders, community members, and proud native Daytonians gathered at Sinclair Community College for one of the city’s most cherished traditions: the Dayton Region Walk of Fame induction ceremony. This year’s class—actor Rob Lowe, restaurateur Vic Cassano Sr., funk pioneers The Original Lakeside, the Levin Family, and business leader Jenell Ross—was celebrated for shaping both Dayton’s cultural DNA and the broader national stage.

Celebrating Dayton’s Legacy

The Walk of Fame, nestled in the historic Wright-Dunbar District, honors figures whose accomplishments elevate Dayton’s global reputation. Since its founding, it has immortalized leaders in science, arts, social justice, and innovation. The 2025 inductees showcased Dayton’s reach across entertainment, music, food, business, and civic leadership.

 

Local timelines on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook overflowed with hometown pride. Residents posted snapshots of new plaques, clips of Lakeside’s classics, and memories tied to Cassano’s Pizza. One attendee summed up the mood: “Dayton isn’t just the birthplace of aviation—it’s the birthplace of culture. This event proved it again.”

 

Rob Lowe: From Oakwood to Hollywood

Actor Rob Lowe’s induction drew national attention. Before his rise to Hollywood stardom with The Outsiders, St. Elmo’s Fire, and Parks and Recreation, Lowe attended Oakwood Junior High. Social media lit up with tributes to his Dayton roots. Fans celebrated not just his enduring career, but his philanthropic efforts in youth mentorship and cancer research.

 

Vic Cassano Sr.: The Pizza King

No name in Dayton cuisine carries more weight than Vic Cassano Sr. In 1953, he and his mother-in-law opened Cassano’s Pizza King, creating what became a Miami Valley staple. Generations recall family gatherings, late-night runs, and thin-crust pies that became part of the city’s identity.

 

One post captured his cultural impact with humor and honesty: “In 2017, after a gig at Gilly’s, I bought a deluxe at Vic and Mom’s. I planned to share it with the band, but I ended up eating the whole darned thing in my hotel room—it was that good.”

 

The Original Lakeside: Funk Forever

Dayton is synonymous with funk, and The Original Lakeside carried that banner worldwide. Hits like Fantastic Voyage and It’s All the Way Live cemented their place in music history. Their induction sparked cross-generational excitement: older fans reminisced about prom nights and club shows, while younger audiences rediscovered their sound through viral TikTok videos. A local DJ wrote, “Dayton is funk. Lakeside proved it then, and they prove it now.”

 

The Levin Family: Civic Stewards

For decades, the Levin Family has played a pivotal role in shaping Dayton’s civic and cultural landscape. Their contributions span philanthropy, real estate development, and advocacy for education and the arts. Their Walk of Fame induction recognized both their historic and ongoing impact. Local nonprofits and community groups praised the honor online, calling the family “quiet champions of progress.”

Jenell Ross: Leadership and Legacy

As president of Bob Ross Auto Group, Jenell Ross has carried forward her family’s business while establishing herself as a philanthropic force. Through her foundation, she has supported breast cancer awareness, health equity, and scholarships for underserved students. Social media tributes included personal testimonies, with one young professional writing: “Because of Jenell Ross’ scholarship, I graduated college. Today’s honor is more than deserved.”

 

Community Reflections
The ceremony blended live music, storytelling, and heartfelt tributes. Attendees described the event as a “family reunion for Dayton,” where locals reconnected and expatriates followed from afar. LinkedIn and Instagram posts from Dayton natives now living abroad spread the news internationally, underscoring how these stories resonate far beyond the Miami Valley.

The event also sparked conversation about Dayton’s heritage preservation. Some called for livestreaming future inductions, while others suggested expanding educational programming linked to the Walk of Fame.

 

Honoring the Past, Walking Into the Future
By inducting a Hollywood star, a culinary pioneer, funk innovators, civic leaders, and a philanthropic entrepreneur, Dayton underscored its role as a hub of creativity, resilience, and community spirit.

Past honorees—like Olympic gold medalist Edwin Moses, baseball great Mike Schmidt, and actress Allison Janney—remind the world of Dayton’s deep talent pool. This year’s class adds new dimensions to that legacy.

As one attendee posted: “Dayton doesn’t just honor its past. It walks with it into the future.”

Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month

Maxine Waters Honors Hispanic Heritage Month While Condemning Immigration Raids in Los Angeles

 

Los Angeles, CA – Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 through October 15, is typically a season of celebration across Los Angeles, marked by festivals, cultural showcases, and civic commemorations. This year, however, the observance has been overshadowed by a wave of immigration raids that have prompted condemnation from local leaders, including Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43).

 

In a statement released from Washington, Waters praised the historic and ongoing contributions of Latinos while sharply criticizing the tactics of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under directives from the Trump administration and U.S. Border Czar Tom Homan. She denounced the raids as warrantless and destabilizing to entire neighborhoods, accusing federal agents of “flooding the zone” in Los Angeles and creating an atmosphere of fear.

 

“Hispanic Heritage Month is a time we proudly celebrate the culture, history, and invaluable contributions of Hispanics in Los Angeles and across the United States,” Waters stated. “But this year, our celebrations come amid unfair attacks by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Donald Trump and his administration … have launched a cruel campaign of warrantless immigration raids, terrorizing immigrant neighborhoods.”

 

Communities in Fear
Waters emphasized the human toll of the raids, noting that immigrant families now face impossible choices between attending work or school and risking detention. She described the consequences as devastating for working-class households already struggling with high housing and living costs in Los Angeles.

 

“Families are being forced to choose between going to work and risking deportation or staying home and falling behind on food and rent,” Waters said. “These heartless tactics are ripping apart communities that have called Los Angeles home for decades.”

 

Her comments reflect broader concerns expressed in community forums, on social media, and by immigrant rights groups across Southern California. Residents have reported increased ICE presence in predominantly Latino neighborhoods, with checkpoints and unannounced door-to-door operations that have sparked fear-driven absences from work, school, and public events.

 

Celebrations Curtailed
In addition to its cultural impact, the ICE raids have also disrupted Hispanic Heritage Month programming. Local organizers reported that several community events were canceled out of concern that participants could be targeted. In South Los Angeles, a planned street festival featuring mariachi music and food vendors was called off after volunteers expressed unease about large gatherings attracting immigration enforcement attention.

Similarly, an East L.A. art walk celebrating Chicano muralists was postponed, with organizers citing the “tense climate” created by immigration operations. Reports also surfaced of school-based heritage programs seeing sharply reduced attendance, as families worried about increased law enforcement presence near public institutions.

 

The cancellations highlight the chilling effect of federal enforcement measures on cultural expression, effectively silencing the very communities Hispanic Heritage Month was designed to honor.

 

Congresswoman Waters’ Call to Action
For Waters, who represents one of the most diverse Hispanic constituencies in the country, the timing of the raids during a nationally recognized month of celebration underscores what she views as the administration’s disregard for Latino communities. She pledged to continue pushing back against immigration policies she describes as “hateful” and inconsistent with American values.

 

“I condemn these cruel attacks,” she declared. “They dishonor not only our great nation but the very values of equality and justice that Hispanic Heritage Month seeks to uplift. As the representative of one of the most vibrant and diverse Hispanic communities in America, I will continue to fight back, and work to ensure that every community can live with dignity and without fear.”

 

Ms. Waters, community members echoed Waters’ sentiments, sharing stories of disruption caused by the raids. Posts described empty classrooms in some schools, as parents kept children home, and businesses struggling to staff shifts. Local advocacy groups amplified calls for city officials to provide sanctuary protections and ensure public spaces remain safe for immigrants.

Despite the fear, some cultural events continued, albeit under tightened security and scaled-down formats. In Boyle Heights, organizers of a heritage parade opted to reduce the route and increase community patrols rather than cancel. Smaller neighborhood gatherings were also held, often framed explicitly as acts of resistance and cultural resilience.

 

Looking Ahead
Congresswoman Waters’ strong stance situates her among several California lawmakers who have criticized federal immigration enforcement strategies. The tension between local leaders and the administration reflects an ongoing national debate over immigration policy, community safety, and cultural recognition.

 

In Los Angeles, the intersection of Hispanic Heritage Month and federal immigration operations has laid bare the contradictions between celebration and fear. For many, the month has become not only a time of cultural pride but also a reminder of the struggles facing immigrant families.

 

It has been noted that the legacy of Hispanic contributions to the nation is inseparable from the ongoing fight for dignity and security. This year, that legacy was honored not only through parades and performances but also through resilience in the face of disruption.

 

Charles Jackson
Thought provoker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#YesOnProp50

D4VD

So, I was curious about how this kid who goes by the name D4vd, rose to the top of the charts and was out there doing international tours, almost like magic. Sadly he has been implicated in the apparent murder of a young girl, so his tour has been canceled and his label (interscope) has canceled all publicity until things clear up.

A quick Google search revealed that D4vd, real name is David Anthony Burke.

I met a guy named Kenny Burke at the Lakeview Palladium, in Dayton Ohio, back when we were just getting started in the music game ourselves. So I climbed deeper into the Rabbit Hole, and yep, D4vd is the grandson of singer Keni Burke. Keni was a member of the child group “The 5 Stairsteps” (Ooh Child)

A deeper dive revealed that on September 17, 2025, Los Angeles authorities confirmed that the body of 15-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez had been discovered in the front trunk of a Tesla registered in D4vd’s name. Bad news. The young girl’s parents report that the young girl had been in a relationship with a guy named David, but she had been reported missing for over a year. D4vd turned twenty in March of this year, so the age disparities will require some further examination but his hit record “Romantic Homicide” is likely to complicate the investigation.

My heart goes out to the family of this poor young girl, and I’m also going to keep Keni and his family in prayer as they navigate this terrible bump in the road.

 

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#YesOnProp50

Trump Seeks Supreme Court Approval

Trump Administration Seeks Supreme Court Approval to Remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook

Artist Rendering

Washington, D.C. — The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to allow the immediate removal of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, escalating a constitutional clash over presidential authority. As of September 18, 2025, the Court has not yet scheduled a ruling.

 

The administration argues that the president’s decision to remove an official “for cause” cannot be reviewed by the courts. The Justice Department’s filing cites allegations of mortgage fraud, though recently disclosed documents indicate that Cook has “done nothing wrong.” Her defenders say the case is a politically motivated effort to weaken the Federal Reserve’s independence.

 

Legal experts warn that if the Court sides with the administration, it could expand presidential power in ways that undermine checks and balances, especially for independent agencies designed to resist partisan pressure.

 

The dispute has sparked a wave of commentary online. Critics on social media warn of “a direct threat to the Fed’s independence” and describe the move as “a power grab disguised as accountability.” Supporters of Trump counter that the president must retain authority to remove officials accused of misconduct without judicial interference.

 

Some lawmakers fear that if the Supreme Court rejects the administration’s request, Trump could pressure House Republicans to pursue impeachment of the Chief Justice—a step that would push the crisis into uncharted constitutional territory.

Cook, appointed in 2022 and the first Black woman to serve on the Federal Reserve Board, has drawn praise for her professionalism and independent judgment. Her allies argue those qualities make her a target for political removal.

 

For now, the case sits before a Supreme Court already under scrutiny for its role in refereeing disputes between the White House and independent institutions. A decision to hear or reject the administration’s request will shape not only Cook’s future, but also the balance of power between the presidency, the courts, and the agencies that underpin U.S. governance.

 

Maxine Waters Addresses Housing Priorities

Congresswoman Maxine Waters Calls for Bold Housing Action, Highlights Impact on California Communities

 

Washington, D.C. — California’s housing crisis took center stage this week as Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, addressed members of the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA) during their Annual Legislative Forum. PHADA represents 1,900 housing agencies nationwide, including dozens across California that provide lifelines to families struggling with rising rents, homelessness, and limited affordable housing options.

 

For Waters, who represents South Los Angeles and Inglewood, the connection between national housing policy and local realities is deeply personal. California is home to the nation’s largest homeless population and some of the steepest housing costs, making the state a key focal point in the national debate.

 

In her remarks, Waters pointed to staggering national statistics: rents up nearly 47 percent since 2019, home prices surging by 57 percent, and more than 770,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night. In California, those numbers are even more dire. More than 180,000 people are unhoused statewide—about a quarter of the national total—with Los Angeles County alone accounting for over 75,000.

 

“These numbers aren’t abstract,” Waters told the forum. “In California, our housing authorities are grappling with record homelessness, overcrowded shelters, and families waiting years for housing vouchers that simply aren’t available.”

 

California’s public housing authorities play a central role in addressing these challenges. Agencies in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, and smaller cities across the state manage over 300,000 affordable housing units and administer tens of thousands of housing choice vouchers. Yet even as demand grows, resources remain limited. Waitlists for housing assistance in many California cities have been closed for years, with tens of thousands of families still waiting.

Waters sharply criticized the Trump administration’s housing rollbacks, saying cuts to fair housing enforcement and HUD staff made the job of California housing authorities harder. For agencies already overwhelmed by rising housing costs, those cuts translated into fewer resources to combat discrimination, slower response times for maintenance, and greater challenges in expanding affordable housing stock.

 

She then highlighted her legislative priorities and underscored their significance for California communities:

 

Housing Crisis Response Act: By funding construction and preservation of deeply affordable housing, the act could provide a direct boost to California, where shortages are most severe. In Los Angeles alone, more than 500,000 additional affordable units are needed to meet demand.

 

Ending Homelessness Act: Waters emphasized how the measure could support California’s growing network of housing authorities and nonprofits that provide wraparound services to people living on the streets.

 

Downpayment Toward Equity Act: With California’s homeownership rate lagging behind the national average—particularly for Black and Latino families—Waters said the act could help first-generation buyers access homeownership in one of the nation’s most expensive housing markets.

 

Strengthening Housing Supply Act: Waters noted this would allow California communities to use Community Development Block Grants to expand housing options and keep rents affordable, particularly in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods.

 

California housing leaders in attendance and online echoed Waters’ points. Representatives from Los Angeles and San Diego shared that rising construction costs, stagnant federal support, and surging demand have left agencies scrambling to keep up. On social media, advocates praised Waters for centering California in her remarks, noting that state-level solutions depend heavily on sustained federal investment.

 

“Congresswoman Waters has always been a champion for communities like ours,” one California housing authority official wrote. “Her push for federal action is exactly what we need to address the scale of the crisis we see every day.”

 

Waters closed her speech by reaffirming her commitment to ensuring that California’s public housing authorities—and the families they serve—remain at the heart of national housing solutions. “California’s challenges are America’s challenges,” she said. “When we make progress in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento, we show the nation what’s possible.”

 

For PHADA’s California members, Waters’ message was both a recognition of the outsized challenges they face and a call to action for federal policymakers to match the urgency felt in communities across the state.

STORY: Charles Jackson

Waters Applauds Court Ruling

Court Blocks Trump’s Attempt to Remove Fed Governor Lisa Cook: 

Waters Applauds Court Ruling

 

A federal court has issued a preliminary injunction blocking former President Donald Trump’s effort to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, drawing swift praise from top Democrats, including Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA). The ruling marks a significant moment in the ongoing struggle over the independence of the nation’s central bank and the limits of presidential power.

 

In her statement, Congresswoman Waters hailed the court’s decision as “a victory for our democracy, the rule of law, and the independence of the Federal Reserve.” She emphasized that the ruling made clear that Trump’s attempt to oust Cook failed to meet the legal standard of “for cause” removal and violated her constitutional due process rights.

 

“This decision sends a strong message,” Waters declared. “Donald Trump is wrong—he is not above the law. His radical attempt to remove Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook was not only unlawful but also a dangerous effort to politicize the Federal Reserve, threatening our economy, retirement security, and stability of global markets.”

 

The Case Against Cook

The Trump administration had alleged that Governor Cook committed malfeasance related to her real estate holdings, specifically a condominium in Atlanta. Trump’s allies claimed Cook misrepresented the property as a primary residence on certain forms. However, reporting from Reuters and court filings undercut those claims.

 

Documents reviewed by reporters showed that in her most recent loan estimate from May 2021, Ms. Cook described the Atlanta condo as a “vacation home.” On a federal security clearance form, she listed it as a “second home.” Fulton County tax records confirmed she had never claimed a homestead exemption on the property, the typical designation for a primary residence.

These facts appeared to undermine the administration’s assertion of misconduct and lent weight to the court’s view that the attempt at removal lacked credible grounds.

 

Political and Economic Stakes

The independence of the Federal Reserve has long been considered sacrosanct, meant to shield monetary policy decisions from short-term political pressures. Trump’s move to remove Cook—a respected economist and the first Black woman to serve as a Fed governor—ignited alarm across financial, political, and academic circles.

 

Economists warned that political interference of this scale could destabilize U.S. financial markets and weaken confidence in American institutions abroad. On social media, finance professionals and commentators highlighted the potential dangers: “If the Fed becomes an arm of whoever sits in the White House, inflation, interest rates, and the dollar itself become political footballs,” one analyst posted on X (formerly Twitter).

 

Many users echoed Waters’ warning that weaponizing central banking could lead to higher inflation and risks for everyday Americans’ savings. “Trump is trying to turn the Fed into a campaign tool. That’s not just illegal, it’s reckless,” wrote another commenter.

 

International media outlets also covered the story, with European and Asian financial papers noting parallels to instances in other countries where central bank independence was eroded, often leading to investor flight and economic turmoil.

 

A Fight Far From Over

Though the ruling allows Cook to remain in her position for now, the legal battle is far from over. Waters cautioned that Trump is likely to push the case all the way to the Supreme Court in what she described as “an ongoing and desperate effort to seize control of every level of the financial system.”

 

For Democrats, the case is about more than one official—it represents a broader fight to protect the institutional safeguards that underpin the American economy. For Trump and his allies, it is another front in their campaign to reshape federal power.

As of now, Lisa Cook continues her service on the Federal Reserve Board, carrying out her role in helping guide U.S. monetary policy. But with appeals looming and political stakes high, the battle over her tenure underscores just how fragile the boundaries between politics and the nation’s most important economic institutions have become.

 

The Road Is Long, With Many A Winding Turn.

~The Hollies

 

Story: Charles Jackson

Two-Bill HIV Prevention Package

Washington, D.C. – September 6, 2025: Maxine Waters Introduces Two-Bill HIV Prevention Package in the U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS

 

     As thousands gathered in Washington, D.C. for the U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS this week, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, introduced a pair of bills aimed at strengthening prevention efforts and expanding access to life-saving HIV prevention medications.

     The legislative package, announced on September 4, includes the HIV Prevention Now Act (H.R. 5126) and the PrEP and PEP are Prevention Act (H.R. 5127). Together, the measures seek to restore and expand federal HIV prevention funding, while also requiring insurance providers to cover preventive medications without out-of-pocket costs.

Ms. Waters, who has been a leading voice in HIV/AIDS policy since the 1980s, said the bills are designed to protect progress made in reducing new HIV infections while addressing persistent barriers in vulnerable communities.

“I am deeply concerned by the continuing spread of HIV in communities across the United States,” Waters said. “These bills will ensure that we can prevent new HIV infections, save lives, and stop the spread of HIV.”

The HIV Prevention Now Act

H.R. 5126 would appropriate $2.165 billion in Fiscal Year 2026 for the CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention. The measure also reverses a proposed funding cut in President Donald Trump’s FY2026 budget, which had eliminated certain HIV prevention allocations.

 

“Urging people to fight like hell to protect funding and public health structures,” Ms. Waters warned that reductions in prevention funding could lead to “thousands of new HIV infections” nationwide. Public health advocates echoed that concern, noting that state health departments and community-based organizations rely heavily on CDC grants to implement outreach, testing, and education programs.

 

Carl Schmid, Executive Director of the HIV Hepatitis Policy Institute, praised the measure’s scope. “Ensuring sufficient and stable funding for the CDC so that health departments, community-based organizations, and other grantees can implement HIV and hepatitis prevention programs nationwide is vitally important,” Schmid said. He criticized the administration for dismissing the entire staff of HHS offices that support HIV programs.

 

The PrEP and PEP Are Prevention Act

The companion bill, H.R. 5127, focuses on access to medication. It requires health insurance plans to cover Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) without co-pays or cost-sharing.

PrEP, when taken as prescribed, reduces the risk of HIV infection from sex by approximately 99 percent and from injection drug use by at least 74 percent. PEP, taken within 72 hours of potential exposure, can prevent infection after events such as unprotected sex, sexual assault, or accidental needle sticks.

Ms. Waters called the drugs “extremely effective” and “essential tools” in the fight against HIV. Her proposal has drawn endorsements from a wide coalition of advocacy organizations, including NMAC, AIDS United, The AIDS Institute, the National Coalition of STD Directors, PrEP4All, and NASTAD.

Paul Kawata, Executive Director of NMAC, said access to prevention medication is a matter of urgency. “PrEP is not optional—it is an essential component of our nation’s mission to end the HIV epidemic,” Kawata said.

Support Across the Advocacy Spectrum by Leaders from multiple HIV/AIDS organizations issued statements, applauding Waters’ move, highlighting the timing of the bills during a period of heightened debate over access to preventive health care.

Carl Baloney, Jr., President & CEO of AIDS United, noted that the nation is “on the cusp of ending the HIV epidemic” and argued that achieving that goal requires eliminating barriers to prevention drugs. 

Jeremiah Johnson, Executive Director of PrEP4All, added that the measure would “safeguard coverage protections for rigorously evaluated, evidence-based HIV prevention,” while ensuring continued access for those most at risk.

Social Media Reaction on the various social platforms have sparked discussion concerning the bills in a wave of thumbs up from activists, health professionals, and community members.

On X (formerly Twitter), several HIV advocates used the hashtag #PreventionIsCare to praise the legislation. “Access saves lives. Thank you @RepMaxineWaters for ensuring PrEP and PEP coverage stays in place,” wrote one New York-based advocate.

     Community health organizations posted educational infographics outlining the difference between PrEP and PEP, emphasizing their effectiveness when widely accessible. Instagram posts from advocacy groups in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Miami framed the bills as especially critical for Black and Latino communities, which remain disproportionately impacted by HIV.

Some health equity activists also pointed to the broader implications for public health. “Protecting PrEP access isn’t just about HIV,” one user wrote on Threads. “It’s about reducing stigma, increasing testing, and making sexual health care affordable and accessible.”

     With her Long History of Advocacy, Congresswoman Waters’ latest effort builds on decades of leadership on HIV/AIDS policy. In 1989, she collaborated with the Clinton administration to establish the Minority AIDS Initiative, which has since grown from $156 million in annual funding in 1999 to more than $400 million today. The initiative remains a cornerstone of federal HIV prevention and treatment programs in communities of color.

Both new bills also come at a time when, despite medical advances, more than 30,000 new HIV infections occur annually in the United States, according to CDC estimates. Advocates argue that equitable access to prevention tools is essential to driving that number down.

     The HIV Prevention Now Act (H.R. 5126) and the PrEP and PEP are Prevention Act (H.R. 5127) have been cosponsored by more than two dozen House Democrats, including Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12).

     As the conference continues through September 7, Ms. Waters and her allies are expected to push for broad legislative support, framing the bills as both a public health necessity and a moral imperative.

     In related developments, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced dramatic testimony before the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday, September 4, 2025. Kennedy as the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The hearing focused on his record and policies, particularly concerning vaccines, the CDC, and the recent firing of top officials. 

     Kennedy Jr. has a controversial history regarding his views on HIV/AIDS. He has been criticized for promoting the debunked belief that HIV is not the sole cause of AIDS, instead attributing the condition to other factors like drug use. As Secretary of Health and Human Services, he has stated that he supports funding for HIV programs like PEPFAR, yet has also been criticized for actions that have led to cuts and a restructuring of offices responsible for HIV prevention.

 

The Doctor Was In – too deep

Dr. Phil Accused of Fraud as a $500 Million TV Deal Collapsed.

Less than a year after drawing headlines for his high-profile endorsement of Donald Trump, Dr. Phil McGraw now finds himself at the center of aq lol LP major legal battle. The television personality is facing accusations of fraud and mismanagement tied to the collapse of his new media company, Merit Street Media, in what has become a $500 million courtroom fight.

 

The dispute came to light this week after The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), Dr. Phil’s former partner, filed a lawsuit in Texas federal court on August 19. The Christian broadcaster alleges that McGraw misled them in a decade-long, half-billion-dollar deal, promising hundreds of episodes of new programming that never materialized while draining the company of millions.

 

According to TBN’s filing, McGraw, 74, approached the network in 2022 after ending his long-running partnership with CBS. He allegedly assured executives that relocating production to Texas and cutting union jobs would reduce costs, while also pitching the continued strength of his brand with advertisers. The lawsuit claims McGraw pushed for a $20 million upfront payment through his production company, Peteski, threatening to return to CBS unless his terms were met.

 

TBN says it ultimately invested more than $100 million into the venture, covering expenses that reached as high as $13 million per month. Despite the outlay, the network claims McGraw underdelivered, producing neither the audience numbers nor the advertising revenue that had been promised. The filing further accuses him of reneging on a $9 million obligation, refusing to hand over the library of past episodes, and later demanding $100 million for 50 percent ownership of those archives.

 

In a sharply worded statement, McGraw’s representatives rejected the allegations. They insisted that 214 new episodes of Dr. Phil Primetime were produced and aired on Merit Street Media, dismissing TBN’s claim that no new content was delivered as “absolutely false.”

 

Meanwhile, Merit Street Media, which has since entered bankruptcy, has filed its own lawsuit against TBN. That complaint paints a different picture, accusing the network of sabotaging the enterprise by blocking national distribution opportunities and forcing costly agreements that weakened the company. It also alleges that TBN provided “shoddy production services” while prioritizing its own financial interests.

 

The dueling lawsuits lay bare a partnership that quickly unraveled amid clashing visions, escalating costs, and questions about control of Dr. Phil’s lucrative archives. TBN’s case accuses McGraw of fraud, breach of contract, and mismanagement, while seeking clarity on who holds rights to his programming library and what obligations remain from the failed deal.

 

The legal showdown follows a tumultuous year for McGraw, who drew widespread attention in 2024 for a full-throated public endorsement of Donald Trump at a campaign rally. That move sparked both praise and backlash, with critics questioning the TV host’s political leanings.

 

As the lawsuits proceed, the fate of Dr. Phil’s media empire — once envisioned as a bold new chapter after two decades on CBS — remains uncertain. Requests for further comment from McGraw’s team have not yet been returned.

 

Doc had a good thing going. He had a solid fan base that respected his body of work. He could have remained bipartisan but somehow he sought a power position, and decided to stick his nose into grown folks business.

 

 

 

 

Washington Has Fallen

House Recess Sparks Controversy as Trump Seizes Control of D.C. Police

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.

The House of Representatives abruptly adjourned for its August recess on July 22, 2025, amid a dispute over legislation concerning the public release of the so-called “Epstein files.” With Congress shuttered earlier than scheduled, the current resident,  Donald Trump — who continues to assert sweeping authority over the federal government — moved to invoke a rarely used provision of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973, seizing control of the Metropolitan Police Department.

 

The decision has raised alarm across Washington, a city accustomed to demonstrations, visiting dignitaries, and heightened security, but not to routine military presence on neighborhood streets.

 

One resident described unease at the sight of armed patrols moving through residential areas. “Even in a city like ours, where security is always tight, this is unprecedented,” the resident said. Another longtime D.C. transplant expressed similar concerns, noting heightened anxiety while traveling to a routine doctor’s appointment. Helicopters circling overhead, the resident said, gave the sense of a city under occupation rather than protection.

 

California Congresswoman Maxine Waters, a senior Democrat, condemned the move in a statement issued from her office.

 

 

Immediate Release:

August 14, 2025

 

ca43.press@mail.house.gov

Congresswoman Maxine Waters Releases Statement on Trump’s Federalization of DC Police

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) released the following statement in response to Donald Trump’s decision to invoke Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973 to seize control of the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, DC.

 

“Trump is continuing to advance his racist agenda against Black folks. He is now using his executive privilege to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, DC, claiming he’s doing this to reduce crime, even though statistics show crime is at a 30-year low. He’s invoking Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973. This emergency authority allows the president to take control of the MPD for up to 30 days during a declared emergency. There IS no emergency! If it’s notabout-face  crime, then what is it about?

 

Trump clearly hates Black people. It shows in his constant attacks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, his racist assaults on the legacy of John Lewis and his district, and his appalling disparagement of the late Elijah Cummings. He even blamed the devastating Potomac plane crash on “DEI.”

 

He has repeatedly targeted Black women, including Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, TheGrio journalist April Ryan, New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Vice President Kamala Harris, and me.

 

He joined Elon Musk in attacking the South African government, falsely claiming they deny justice to white Afrikaners, rewriting history, and ignoring Black suffering under apartheid. Musk, seeking a battery factory in South Africa, opposes the 30% local participation requirement, which aims to empower historically disadvantaged Black South Africans. Meanwhile, Trump simultaneously deported Latin Americans illegally and allowed 59 white South Africans into the U.S. without visas or legal processing.

 

This “would be” dictator is using confrontational tactics to provoke Blacks, Latinos, and others into a standoff. He is just itching to invoke Martial Law, and yes, even push for civil war. This damaged human being is pushing our country to the edge. Everyone needs to be aware and not fall victim to his lies, provocations, antics, and tactics. He’s just damn crazy!”