News

A Jeff Bezos-backed company is planning to release an electric car that also transforms into an SUV. The company, Slate Auto, announced that the cars will be available for as little as $20,000.

“A radically simple electric pickup truck that can change into whatever you need it to be — even an SUV,” the Slate Auto website states, per NBC News. “Made in the USA at a price that’s actually affordable (no really, for real).”

What are the features of Slate’s electric car?

The new two-door vehicle from Slate Auto, which can be transformed into a five-seat SUV, is smaller than a Chevy Silverado EV and a Ford Maverick. Measuring at 15 feet long, the car is compared to a 1985 Toyota pickup.

TechCrunch describes the Slate as the “anti-Tesla.” Although both the Tesla and the Slate are customizable, the basic Slate model doesn’t feature power windows or an infotainment screen.

The Slate goes for about 150 miles with a single charge. Drivers of the Slate can also purchase a long-range battery, which can travel up to 240 miles.

Where is Slate’s electric car designed, engineered and assembled?

Slate’s website states that the car is designed in California and Michigan, then engineered in Michigan before being assembled in the Midwest. TechCrunch adds that the company’s plant is located in Indiana.

How is Jeff Bezos backing Slate’s electric car?

According to TechCrunch, Bezos has partnered with Los Angeles Dodgers owner Mark Walter and another investor, Thomas Tull, to raise $111 million for the production of the Slate. The car is expected to be available to customers in 2026.

Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta star Karlie Redd, born Karlie Lewis, was arrested on a first-degree burglary charge after she allegedly broke into the residence of her estranged and soon-to-be ex-husband, Teleau “T Davinci” Belton, despite being ordered to stay away from him.

What started as a family’s worst nightmare became an unimaginable tragedy in Hazlehurst, Georgia, after a son and mother died several days apart.

In April, 20-year-old Tee’Andrick Lawson was found brutally beaten inside his mother’s home. His brother, worried after not hearing from him, was forced to break into the house. What his sibling found was his body, lifeless and “brutalized,” as his mother, Tasha Lawson, described, according to Bossip.

“He had to break through the window just to get in here and find his brother’s body, which he’s in totally complete shock,” Tee’Andrick’s older sister, Terreona Harrison, said in an interview with WTOC.

The family of Tee’Andrick Lawson believes he was targeted for his sexuality

According to WTOC, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case. Still, they haven’t yet confirmed whether Tee’Andrick’s death is being pursued as a hate crime because he was LGBTQ+. However, for his family, the motive feels painfully clear.

Tasha Lawson, a mother from Georgia, passed away on from heart complications just 11 days after her 20-year-old son, Tee’Andrick Lawson, was found brutally beaten to death in their home. Tragic. The family believes her death was caused by “sheer heartbreak” over the loss of… pic.twitter.com/vWUZsOP2Gq— Zaki Solja (@zakisolja) April 23, 2025

“He died in his home. Where he felt he was comfortable. He thought he was safe, and he was not safe,” Harrison said. “And for it to be people that’s literally right across the road or down the block, I can’t.”

She didn’t hold back when reflecting on who she believes is responsible.

“He just wanted to be him. He couldn’t even be him. Everybody accepted him, but the men who couldn’t accept themselves,” Harrison continued.

Tee’Andrick’s family’s pain didn’t end with his death. A little over a week after losing her son, Tasha also died, People reported. The family believes the weight of grief caused her death.

Tee’Andrick Lawson’s family is seeking support through GoFundMe

A family member, Raziyh Mackey, set up a GoFundMe to help cover the costs of both funerals, and the community has been rallying to support them during this time.

“Their bond was deep and unbreakable — best friends who did everything together,” the GoFundMe page reads. “The pain of losing her son was too much for her heart to bear, and just days later, she passed away from sheer heartbreak. This double loss has left their family shattered.”

Mackey also added that both deaths are a “double loss has left their family shattered, so forgive me if I don’t have the proper words to say! We’re asking for your support to help give the love-filled farewell we deserve.”

There aren’t any suspects at this time.

An elementary school in Georgia has been called out after a teacher put up “For Whites Only” and “For Colored Only” signs as part of a history lesson on segregation. The signs were put up over water fountains and inside the cafeteria, according to WSB-TV.

On April 15, a teacher at Honey Creek Elementary School put up segregation signs as part of a lesson on Ruby Bridges, the first Black child to attend a desegregated all-white school in 1960, in Louisiana. An investigation was launched by the school after parents expressed concerns over the incident.

“You may have heard that we, along with our district human resources department, have been investigating an incident reported to us that involved a social studies activity based on a historical figure in American history that was not approved. Upon learning of the activity, we communicated directly with the parents of students who may have been affected,” the school principal wrote in a message sent to parents.

“In this instance, the teacher did not adhere to the approved resources or recommended lessons provided by the district. While we do not believe there was any ill intent, the activity was not included in the teacher’s submitted lesson plan and was not approved by school administrators,” they added.

Parents want to know that it won’t happen again

A parent addressed the incident during a meeting with the Rockdale County Board of Education on April 17.

“My son was over a water fountain drinking, and there was a ‘for colored only’ sign above and he was made fun of by the other children. To me that’s not a history lesson,” a parent told WSBTV.

“Things can be taught in a way that doesn’t inflict trauma on children,” another parent said.

A spokesperson for the Rockdale County School District confirmed the incident was currently being investigated.

“This is being investigated through the district’s human resources department, and we have taken the appropriate action to address the reported information,” they said. “Due to the nature of this personnel matter, we cannot share further information.”

The NAACP condemned the incident

The Georgia NAACP and Rockdale County NAACP issued a joint statement condemning the incident.

“The Georgia NAACP and The Rockdale County NAACP are appalled and heartbroken by the deeply disturbing incident at a Rockdale County school, where a water fountain was defaced with a sign reading ‘White Only.’ This isn’t just an act of ignorance—it’s a chilling echo of our nation’s darkest chapters. It is a stark reminder that the legacy of segregation is not history for many—it is still a lived reality,” the statement read, according to FOX5.

“Let us say this with absolute clarity: Racism has no place in our schools, in our communities, or in our country. This was not a prank. This was an act of racial hostility that reopens wounds still felt by generations of Americans who have fought, and continue to fight, for equality and dignity,” it added.

The statement called on the Rockdale County School District to take action by taking accountability, implementing mandatory anti-racism education rooted in historical truth and cultural competency training for educators, administrators and students.

“We will not let this moment pass quietly. We are here—to confront, to collaborate, and to help this community heal with purpose,” the statement read. “This is not about one sign. It is about what we allow, what we teach, and what we stand for.”

Following life-threatening comments, notes and random visitors showing up at their Frisco home, the judge approved that 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony could transfer from his residence to a private location for personal safety measures. 

As Blavity reported, Anthony (not to be confused with the NBA icon) was charged with first-degree murder for the fatal stabbing of Anthony Metcalf at a track meet on April 2. The suspect claimed it was a case of self-defense. In a recent court hearing, he was released from jail on bond after the bond amount decreased from $1 million to $250,000. Although he was released on April 14, he was confined to his residence by a court order.

NGAN cites escalating threats as reason for moving the teen to a safer location

The Next Generation Action Network, or NGAN, an organization that lobbies for “social change and equality for all” and is currently supporting the Anthony family throughout this case, shared the news that the decision to relocate the teen was made to “ensure his immediate safety,” per Fox 4 News. 

The community organization shared in a news release that there was an “alarming increase in death threats, continued harassment, and physical intimidation targeted at the family’s home.” According to the release, individuals have been seen lingering near and photographing the property, sending fake food deliveries, mailing unsettling items such as Austin Metcalf’s obituary, and repeatedly driving past the family’s home to instill fear. To show how serious the matter is, NGAN included screenshots and videos of these referenced threats in the official statement.

“We are sharing images and documentation of the threats the family has faced this past weekend to make the public aware of the dangerous atmosphere that has been created — an atmosphere fueled by organized hate, systemic racism, and intentional misinformation,” Minister Dominique Alexander, president of NGAN, said in the news release.

Protest outside stadium sparks arrests as safety concerns for the Anthony family grow

Additionally, there was a demonstration held outside Kuykendall Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on Saturday, and two individuals were arrested following tensions between protesters and counterprotesters. The event was organized by Jake Lang, a Florida resident facing charges related to the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. Participants carried signs with phrases like “Protect White Americans” and “Demand Karmelo Anthony be put back in prison until trial.” According to Frisco police, one of the arrests stemmed from the use of pepper spray during a confrontation. City officials indicated that most of those involved appeared to be from outside the local area.

NGAN stated that its in-house security personnel are collaborating with local authorities to help protect the family’s well-being.

“It is both heartbreaking and infuriating to see the depths of hate and bigotry still alive and well in our society,” Alexander stated in the news release. “No family should have to live under siege simply because they are demanding their constitutional rights. We will not be silent, and we will not back down. We are committed to doing whatever is necessary to protect this family and to ensure that justice is pursued without intimidation or fear.”

ESPN has announced that Shannon Sharpe is stepping away from First Take show amid rape allegations against the NFL Hall of Famer. Sharpe joined First Take in 2023.

Sharpe released a statement via social media about not returning to ESPN’s First Take. “My statement is found here and this is the truth. The relationship in question was 100 % consensual,” he began. “At this junction I am eliciting to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties. I will be devoting my time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me. I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason. I sincerely appreciate the overwhelming and ongoing support I have received from my family, friends and colleagues.”

Before Sharpe released his statement, Deadline reported that the network was about to bench him anyway. “Whether or not Sharpe returns to First Take in subsequent weeks is TBD apparently,” the report states.

Per CNN, an ESPN spokesperson also released a statement: “This is a serious situation, and we agree with Shannon’s decision to step away.”

Shannon Sharpe faces a $50 million rape lawsuit

In a April 20-filed lawsuit, a now 21-year-old Jane Doe alleges that Sharpe, who’s 56, raped and abused her twice in Las Vegas while they were in a relationship after meeting in 2023 — making the accuser 19 at the time. Jane Doe is seeking $50 million in damages from Sharpe.

As Deadline reported, the lawsuit alleges “assault, sexual assault, battery and sexual battery, as well as intentional infliction of emotional distress.”

“After many months of manipulating and controlling Plaintiff — a woman more than thirty years younger than he — and repeatedly threatening to brutally choke and violently slap her, Sharpe refused to accept the answer no and raped Plaintiff, despite her sobbing and repeated screams of ‘no,’” the suit stated, according to CNN.

Shannon Sharpe offered to pay his accuser $10 million to settle the lawsuit, but denies the allegations

On April 22, via Deadline, Sharpe’s lawyer Lanny Davis shared that Sharpe offered to write Jane Doe a $10 million check with the goal of quietly settling the lawsuit, which has also “raised concerns” at ESPN. Houston-based attorney Tony Buzbee is representing the accuser.

“It takes a great deal of courage to stand up against those with power, fame and money,” Buzbee said in a statement to CNN. “I look forward to pressing this case in court.”

Sharpe has denied all the allegations, appearing in an Instagram video on Tuesday.

“This is a shakedown. I’m going to be open, transparent and defend myself because this isn’t right,” Sharpe said in the clip. “This is all being orchestrated by Tony Buzbee… I believe he is going to release a 30-second clip of a sex tape that tries to make me look guilty and plays into every stereotype you can possibly imagine.”

As of Thursday, Gilbert Arenas’ 18-year-old son, Alijah Arenas, has been placed in a medically induced coma after a car accident in Los Angeles, according to a tweet from ESPN’s senior NBA insider Shams Charania.

Alijah is a top prospect at the University of Southern California. Per TMZ, Alijah was driving his Tesla Cybertruck at the time of the accident.

Alijah Arenas is the oldest child of NBA star Gilbert Arenas

According to People, Gilbert shares four kids, Izela, Alijah, Hamiley and Aloni, with his ex (and longtime partner) Laura Govan. He also shares a daughter named Gia with his ex-girlfriend Lindsey Faulk.

In April 2025, Alijah and his dad sat down for an interview at the McDonald’s All-American Game.

“Our personalities are a little the same. I feel like that’s my dad’s dream too, that I could get to that level,” Alijah said about following in his dad’s footsteps.

Gilbert added, “It’s very surprising watching him actually dive into the game, you know, physically, mentally,” of his son.

Alijah Arenas is ranked the No. 1 shooting guard

As of December 2024, Alijah was ranked as the Class of 2026’s No. 1 shooting guard, according to One3. Gilbert shared a little insight into his coaching style when it comes to his son.

“Ain’t no days off … We get 3 [hundred or] 400 shots up before school,” he said on Paul George’s podcast, People reported. “He’s coachable … depending on what day it is in the mornings we’ll get up at like 5:30 so he [practices] an hour and a half. [He goes to school, comes home and then] works out and we got lifting right after and then we got more shooting, more dribbling.”

Parents are calling for their children to retain access to their phones at all times after a stabbing incident at West Potomac High School in Virginia.

They say they were left without news for “at least half an hour” after an unnamed 16-year-old was stabbed by another student on Wednesday.

What happened at West Potomac High School?

A 16-year-old student was stabbed just before 10 a.m. on Wednesday after a fight broke out at West Potomac High School in Alexandria, Virginia. The student is in stable condition at a nearby hospital, WTOP reported.

Per law enforcement, a 15-year-old student was taken into custody and will be charged with malicious wounding. Police reportedly responded to the incident within minutes.

“While there’s a sense, obviously, of shock that this would happen at West Potomac High School, one of our high schools here in Fairfax County, I’m very proud of the response of our staff to this incident,” Superintendent Michelle Reid said. “They responded quickly and admirably and may have saved a life today.”

Some parents are unsatisfied with how the school communicated about the stabbing incident

Although parents were notified of the incident through the school’s alert system, some said they didn’t receive the news for at least half an hour and weren’t able to pick up their children from school early.

“At the end of the day, I think that’s all these parents want, is to get their kids, hug their kids,” Bill Beal, the parent of a student who saw the stabbing happen, said. “There’s more than one victim in this — people that witnessed it.”

Others have criticized the phone policy in place for Fairfax County public schools. It requires students to silence their phones and put them away during instructional periods. Although they recognize the phones can be a distraction, some parents say retaining access to a phone is essential in case of an emergency.

“I think this is the reason kids nowadays, in this day and age, they need their phones to be able to contact parents,” parent Joanne Boyce, told NBC News. “We didn’t get any kind of notification from the school for at least half an hour afterwards, which I understand their busy dealing with that, but parents need to know these things.”

“I have never agreed with the cellphone policy anyway, and this is why she needs to have her phone,” Cheryl Brewer, whose granddaughter witnessed the stabbing, added.

New security measures are being set up

The high school is currently under “Secure the Building” status, which means exterior doors are locked. Fairfax County schools also started rolling out weapon detection systems. A pilot program is deploying 15 devices to schools selected at random.

The Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. chapter at Miami University in Ohio received a 15-year suspension on April 11 after current members and alumni were accused of violent hazing against four new recruits in the fall of 2024.

The institution is hoping the suspension will help erase the culture of hazing from the chapter, which was already on probation for a hazing incident in 2022.

The chapter was first permanently banned, then it was changed to a 15-year suspension

The fraternity, which chartered the Kappa Delta chapter on the Miami University campus in 1980, has been multiple several times of hazing new recruits. 

Wesley Highley, the associate director of the Office of Community Standards, first permanently banned the fraternity from campus on March 6. The sanction was then reduced to 15 years after fraternity leaders appealed the decision, according to The Enquirer. The chapter is suspended until March 15, 20240.

Jayne Brownell, the senior vice president for student life, said the case was serious and required significant disciplinary action.

“Our hope is by that time, the alumni from Miami will no longer be an influence on the culture for a recolonization,” she wrote in an April 11 letter announcing the suspension. “There may be a time when Kappa Alpha Psi could become a thriving chapter after a long enough period of time has passed to erase this culture.”

Kappa Alpha Psi “forfeits all the rights and privileges afforded to them by University policy” and may have to undergo mandatory anti-hazing training once the suspension is lifted.

What is alleged to have happened at Miami University in fall 2024?

Four students pledging for Kappa Alpha Psi were allegedly beaten with paddles and canes during “nightly hazing rituals,” according to law firm Merriman Legal LLC representing one of the students, as reported by The Enquirer.

The hazing reportedly lasted from late August to early October. Students were allegedly beaten up to 60 times a night, were forced to do wall sits, and were subjected to verbal humiliation until meetings that lasted until 3 a.m., among other strict rules they had to follow.

The student represented by the firm “endured five weeks of beatings, sleep deprivation, and psychological manipulation.” Attorney Tom Merriman described him to The Enquirer as a “shell of himself” and as being in a “catatonic” state.

The firm also said that beatings were allegedly performed during “unauthorized meetings” attended by alumni members of the fraternity. These alumni were also involved in a 2022 hazing incident that resulted in Kappa Alpha Psi being put on probation at the time.

Kappa Alpha Psi is the second fraternity at Miami University to receive a recent suspension

This year, another fraternity was suspended after being accused of hazing. The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity was suspended in February after the university investigated a report of hazing. New members were allegedly forced to ingest chewing tobacco, do wall sits while covered in baby oil, along with other “inhumane” activities, The Enquirer reported.

Hazing is illegal and prohibited at Miami University.

“Miami seeks to promote a safe environment where students may participate in activities and organizations without compromising their health, safety, or welfare,” the university indicated on its website.

It qualified hazing as any act of initiation or membership reinstatement into a student organization or athletic team “that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm to any person, including coercing another to consume alcohol or another drug.”

“Failure to intervene, prevent or report any act of hazing may also constitute a violation,” the website reads.

Under Trump’s tariff changes, both companies face new import taxes of up to 145% on Chinese goods and will lose the duty-free exemption for shipments under $800. What was the de minimis rule? Previously, the de minimis rule allowed packages […]