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‘You can’t tell this story without thanking God’ To her surprise, Lindsey discovered that a frequent visitor to her Give Me Some Sugah bakery in Chicago was her long-lost son, Vamarr Hunter. Lindsey learned that Hunter was a regular customer […]

Actor and comedian Deon Cole was forced to evacuate his home amid the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles while also dealing with an illness. In an Instagram post, he showed his followers that he was celebrating his birthday as he was hospitalized.

“Thank u all for your birthday well wishes. I sure could use them. Thank you all,” Cole wrote on Instagram while celebrating his 53rd birthday.

Carrie Underwood has seemingly shared her political stance, at least in the eyes of fans, after announcing that she will support President-elect Donald Trump during his inauguration with a singing gig.

The former American Idol contestant will perform a rendition of “America the Beautiful” when Trump is sworn into office on Monday, Jan. 20, The Daily Beast reported. This also just so happens to be the same day as the nation’s observation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2025.

What was Carrie Underwood’s previous stance on politics?

Previously, Underwood has refrained from disclosing her political views. In 2019, the country music star told The Guardian that she attempts to “stay far out of politics if possible,” citing that “nobody wins” when celebrities’ political views are put on display for public consumption.

“I feel like more people try to pin me places politically,” Underwood said during the interview. “Everybody tries to sum everything up and put a bow on it, like it’s black and white. And it’s not like that.”

Ironically, the singer also faced backlash for poking fun at the former president during the 2017 Country Music Awards when she performed a parody of her smash song, “Before He Cheats,” alongside Brad Paisley. 

The lyrics were remixed to address alleged cheating accusations against Trump in his 2016 presidential election win against Hillary Clinton.

“And it’s fun to watch, yeah, that’s for sure/ ’til little Rocket Man starts a nuclear war … and then maybe next time, he’ll think before he tweets,” were the lyrics sung by the duo at the time. 

What users on X (formerly Twitter) are saying about Carrie Underwood now

Of course, Black Twitter wasted no time reacting to the news on X, formerly known as Twitter, with one person writing, “I would love to be surprised by this but idk she’s always gave trumpie to me.”

I would love to be surprised by this but idk she’s always gave trumpie to me. I lowkey stopped listening to her music because I just felt it.— toni ⁷ (@tsthoughtsx) January 13, 2025

“I lowkey stopped listening to her music because I just felt it,” they continued.

Another user fired off a tweet with a similar sentiment, saying, “I don’t want anyone to be surprised that the white woman Oklahoma who sings country is going to support the racist, rapist, convicted felon and head of the republican party. You are only upsetting yourself by [being] shocked.”

I don’t want anyone to be surprised that the white woman Oklahoma who sings country is going to support the racist, rapist, convicted felon and head of the republican party. You are only upsetting yourself by bring shocked.— Gimme A Kiss Big Daddy You So Pretty (@RegularBlack_) January 13, 2025

Another person asked if Chrisette Michele wasn’t available, while someone else suggested that Underwood won’t be susceptible to the same backlash that the R&B singer received after singing during Trump’s 2017 inauguration.

It’s been 12 years since Johnson’s dead body was found inside the middle of a large rolled-up gym mat at Lowndes High School’s gymnasium in 2013, per NewsOne. He was just 17 years old. Although the circumstances that led to […]

The first full moon of the year, known as the Wolf Moon, will rise Monday night, offering viewers a chance to see it appearing opposite the Sun.

Tyler Perry took to Instagram on Sunday to call out insurance companies for failing to cover homeowners who are losing their property amid the wildfires in Los Angeles. Perry specifically shared the story of a woman who was using a garden hose to protect her parents’ uninsured home.

“Watching a daughter use a garden hose to try and protect her 90-year-old parents’ home because their insurance was canceled was just gut-wrenching to me,” Perry wrote on Instagram, per Page Six.

Major Insurers Withdraw Coverage in California

According to the Los Angeles Times, insurance companies such as Allstate, Tokio Marine America Insurance Co., and Trans Pacific Insurance Co. have stopped providing policies in California. State Farm General Insurance also announced in March that it will no longer cover 30,000 homes and condominiums in the state once their policies expire.

In Pacific Palisades, where the fire has burned about 24,000 acres, at least 1,600 homes are reportedly uninsured, Page Six reported.

Perry Condemns Corporate Greed Amid Crisis

“Does anyone else find it appalling that insurance companies can take billions of dollars out of communities for years and then, all of a sudden, be allowed to cancel millions of policies for the very people they became rich on?” Perry wrote. “People who have paid premiums all of their lives are left with nothing because of pure greed.”

Perry Pledges Support to Affected Communities

As fires continue to ravage several regions—including northeast Los Angeles, where the Eaton Fire has burned 14,000 acres—Perry expressed his commitment to supporting impacted communities.

“As I am in the process of trying to figure out what steps to take to do all I can to help as many as I can, I am keeping everyone in my prayers,” the 55-year-old filmmaker said.

Thousands Evacuated as Wildfires Devastate Los Angeles

At least 100,000 Los Angeles residents have been evacuated due to the wildfires. The flames have devastated several high-profile areas, as well as underserved neighborhoods, leaving widespread destruction in their wake.

According to a report from Fast Company, Waffle House saves anywhere from $15.6 million to $46.8 million annually by not appropriately paying its employees for responsibilities performed on and off the clock. Those responsibilities include mopping floors, cleaning toilets and […]

U.S. taxpayers who didn’t claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax return may be eligible to receive a stimulus check in January. According to a statement from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), records indicate that millions of eligible taxpayers failed to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit after filing their returns.

“Looking at our internal data, we realized that one million taxpayers overlooked claiming this complex credit when they were actually eligible,” IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in a statement, according to USA Today. “To minimize headaches and get this money to eligible taxpayers, we’re making these payments automatic, meaning these people will not be required to go through the extensive process of filing an amended return to receive it.”

How Will the IRS Send Out Stimulus Payments?

Eligible taxpayers will automatically receive their stimulus payments through direct deposit or paper check in late January. Before the payments are sent out, the IRS will notify recipients with a letter confirming the upcoming stimulus check.

To check their IRS stimulus checks eligibility, taxpayers can review their 2021 tax returns to see if the Recovery Rebate Credit section was left blank or marked as $0. While the IRS will distribute a total of $2.4 billion, some individuals may receive as much as $1,400.

Can Non-Filers Still Claim Their Stimulus Check?

People who did not file a 2021 tax return may still qualify for a stimulus check. However, they must file their 2021 tax return and claim the credit by April 15, 2025, to receive payment.

“Eligible taxpayers who did not file must file a tax return to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit, even if their income from a job, business, or other source was minimal or non-existent,” the IRS stated.

Breakdown of Previous IRS Stimulus Checks

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRS issued three rounds of stimulus payments to assist families affected by economic challenges. Here’s a breakdown of the payments:

First Round (March 2020 – CARES Act): Eligible taxpayers received up to $1,200 per individual and $500 per child.

Second Round (December 2020 – Consolidated Appropriations Act): Payments of $600 per taxpayer and $600 per child were distributed.

Third Round (March 2021 – American Rescue Plan Act): Provided $1,400 per taxpayer and $1,400 per child.

How To Check Your IRS Stimulus Checks Eligibility

To confirm eligibility, taxpayers should review their 2021 tax return for the Recovery Rebate Credit entry. If it’s blank or listed as $0, they may be among those set to receive automatic payments. For non-filers, submitting a 2021 return before the April 15, 2025, deadline is necessary to claim the credit.