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Carnival Cruise Line faces backlash over its new onboard policy changes unveiled in early June, with some critics accusing the world’s largest cruise line of enforcing overly strict rules that racially target Black passengers.

The “Have Fun. Be Safe.” guidelines outline an extensive list of rules for passengers, including a 1 a.m. curfew for minors 17 and under, a ban on loud noise or shouting in hallways, restrictions on non-electric handheld fans and outside drinks in nightclubs, as well as no cannabis onboard, no smoking in undesignated areas and more.

In one of the rules, guests are advised to use earphones when watching television shows or movies and listening to music in public. The popular Bluetooth portable speakers that many people use in outdoor areas are also restricted. This move has prompted some Black travelers on social media to accuse the cruise line of targeting those who listen to specific genres of music.

According to the Daily Dot, some Black cruisers on social media have stated that Carnival is cracking down on DJs playing rap and hip-hop music. However, the company insists that those accusations are untrue.

“Our DJs play a wide variety of music, including hip-hop,” the cruise line told the outlet.

TikToker @kiarajaxn posted a video last week, calling out Carnival over its policy changes that she feels are aimed at Black cruisers and responding to another TikTok user who commented they were glad the cruise line instituted the new policies because they said they don’t listen to rap.

“So because you don’t listen to a genre of music, now the cruise ship just cannot play that genre anymore?” she asked in the nearly two-minute clip, mentioning that fights never happen in the clubs, where the music plays, but instead occur in hallways and pool decks, with drinking often being a contributing factor.

In another post, @kiarajaxn mentioned that she canceled her Carnival cruise to celebrate a friend’s 30th birthday because of the now-controversial guidelines.

“When people book Carnival, they know what they’re booking,” she said. “They know they are booking a ‘turn up’ cruise. Period. Everybody on there is looking to have a good time, party, and have fun.”

Carnival spokesperson speaks out

Matt Lupoli, senior manager of public relations at Carnival Cruise Line, attributed the backlash the company is receiving from the media.

“Unfortunately, certain media outlets have blown this matter out of proportion,” Lupoli told Parade.

“We have always had a wide variety of entertainment options and for the last several years we have communicated our expectations about guest behavior,” he added.

The National Association of Black Journalists isn’t inviting President Donald Trump to its annual convention in Cleveland this year, the organization has announced. The exclusion of the president follows a controversial appearance by then-candidate Trump at the event last year, as well as a perceived snub against then-Vice President Kamala Harris. The decision not to invite Trump also comes as his policies against diversity, equity and inclusion actively harm Black journalists across the country.

‘There is not a reason to invite President Trump this year’

NABJ President Ken Lemon discussed the organization’s decision not to invite Trump in a phone conversation with Black Press USA. Lemon said, “At this point, there is not a reason to invite President Trump this year.” He contrasted the decision to exclude Trump with the organization’s decision to invite him last year, saying, “Journalists had the opportunity to vet the candidate” during the presidential election campaign. “I don’t see the need to do that this time around,” Lemon remarked, emphasizing that the NABJ would instead focus on celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Dion Rebouin, a candidate to become the next NABJ president, supported the decision not to invite Trump.

“It makes sense, the way this administration has operated and the way it has dealt with Black journalists and Black people overall.”

The White House, meanwhile, reacted angrily to the president not being invited, with Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields stating, “The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is doing a disservice to its audience by engaging in petty and unprofessional antics, intent on making itself more relevant rather than prioritizing informed, balanced, and objective reporting, Black Americans rejected this level of bias and the Democrat talking points promoted by the NABJ, as demonstrated by the significant support for President Trump among Black voters.”

Harris won 83% of the Black vote in 2024, compared to 15% for Trump (up from 8% in the 2020 election).

After the 2024 controversy, NABJ and other Black groups opted out of inviting Trump

The decision not to invite Trump comes one year after he attended the 2024 NABJ Convention. The invitation was controversial, with various members of the organization saying the group should not give Trump a platform. Washington Post columnist Karen Attiah stepped down as convention co-chair as a result. The concern about hosting Trump proved accurate when he made controversial comments about Harris and her racial identity, falsely claiming that she had downplayed her Blackness.

This year, the NABJ is avoiding any potential for Trump to use its convention to push his agenda or make incendiary comments. The organization’s rejection of Trump comes amid decisions by other Black organizations to exclude the president similarly. Notably, the NAACP announced last month that Trump would be the first president in 116 years not to be invited to its national convention. Black Press USA reported that the National Urban League had not asked Trump to attend its convention this month, citing his repeated refusal to appear before the group in past years as part of its rationale for not inviting him in 2025.

Despite his efforts to claim more support among Black voters, Trump has never been popular with the Black community as a political candidate or president. As he continues to push policies such as his anti-DEI campaign that negatively impact Black people across the country, more Black organizations will likely shun him.

Married to Medicine star Dr. Heavenly Kimes is taking on a new role that goes beyond giving patients a healthy smile.

The Bravo cosmetic dentist is transitioning from dentistry to politics, announcing her candidacy as a Democrat for Georgia state representative in District 93, which covers DeKalb County areas including Lithonia, Stone Mountain, and parts of Decatur and Stonecrest, according to a news release obtained by KTLA.

Kimes, 54, will kick off her campaign Tuesday at a community rally outside the Georgia State Capitol in downtown Atlanta.

“This is a historic moment, and I extend a heartfelt invitation to all my constituents and supporters,” Kimes said in a news release, per KTLA. “Join us, lend your energy, and together, let’s demonstrate the impactful force of community power.”

Dr. Heavenly Kimes isn’t the only reality star to move into politics

She joins a growing list of reality television stars who have left their professions to pursue political careers aimed at creating change in their communities. Kimes also has insisted that, although she lacks experience in politics, her background in health care and advocacy makes her a strong candidate for the position.

“I’m not a career politician. I’m a mom, a doctor, a business owner — and I’m not afraid to stand up for what I believe in,” Kimes said in a statement, per People. “I’m running to serve, and I’m ready to work.”

Kimes’ campaign slogan is “Real Life. Real Leadership. Real Change,” which she promises to deliver if elected as a state representative. She also outlined a list of issues she aims to address, many of which disproportionately affect middle-class and Black Americans.

Which key issues is Dr. Heavenly Kimes prioritizing in her campaign?

Health care that’s affordable and accessible, including mental health and maternal care

Education that prepares our kids not just to graduate, but to thrive — teaching real-life skills such as entrepreneurship, technology and financial literacy

An economy that works for everyone, especially small business owners, working families and Black entrepreneurs

Police reform rooted in accountability, safety and justice, because she understands the deeply personal impact of these issues on families

“I’ve spent my life helping people build confidence, start businesses, and take control of their futures,” Kimes said, according to People. “Now I’m bringing that same passion to the State Capitol. District 93 deserves someone who’s not just talking, but doing.”

Kimes made her reality television debut in Season 2 of Married to Medicine. Since then, she has quickly become a fan favorite among viewers. Now in its 11th season, the show has featured Kimes in several fiery moments, including a February incident for which she later apologized, involving Dr. Gregory Lunceford, his ex-wife Quad Webb, and Webb’s new partner, King, Blavity’s Shadow and Act reported.

The unemployment rate for Black women has been on the rise this year. They are the only demographic to see an increase this year, according to data published Thursday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some experts say these statistics may indicate similar challenges to come for other groups.

Black women’s employment has been on the rise

They are the only demographic whose unemployment rate has been rising in recent months. It was at 5.1%, 6.2% in May and 5.8% in June, according to 19th News. To compare, the unemployment rate for white women and Asian women has been plateauing at around 3% over the same period, while Latinx women have been at 5%.

Black women face challenges unique to them in the labor market. Remaining unemployed for longer than other workers is one of them. On average, Black women spend over six months unemployed before finding a job, according to June statistics by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A potential sign that the economy is on the decline

Some experts say this trend is a worrying one because Black women tend to be the first ones to be affected by the overall economy. Other demographics may experience a similar rise in unemployment in the future.

“Black workers, and particularly Black women, show up as a canary in the coal mine, giving a picture of what may happen to everyone else later,” Jessica Fulton, a senior fellow at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, told the news outlet.

Jasmine Tucker, the vice president for research at the National Women’s Law Center, added that Black women are an essential demographic to the economy and the overall labor market.

“Are we heading into a recession? Is some action the current administration is going to take going to keep moving us in that direction? Prices remain high, people can’t afford child care—there are a whole host of things people are really nervous about,” she said. “For me, Black women’s unemployment going up—this is the backbone of our economy, of our labor force.  We have cause to be concerned.”

Why is the unemployment rate of Black women on the rise?

Although no formal study has yet been conducted into this trend, some experts have emitted a possibility that may explain this rise in unemployment over the past few months. Several federal departments have experienced severe budget cuts and have laid off a significant portion of their workforce under the Trump administration.

About half of the jobs at the Department of Education, as well as a quarter of the jobs in the Department of Health and Human Services, have been cut, according to The New York Times. Most of the positions related to DEI have also been removed since Donald Trump became president.

Black women represented a significant portion of the workforce in these departments. For instance, they made up 28% of the education department, according to ProPublica. 

“Black women are overrepresented among those jobs,” Kate Bahn, the chief economist and senior vice president of research at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, said. “But somehow, that’s still not enough to overcome the bigger structural barriers.”

Over 10 years after a water crisis began in Flint, Michigan, the city has hit a milestone. Its lead pipe remediation efforts have been completed, with a goal to ensure that citizens have access to safe drinking water going forward. The initiative to replace lead pipes in Flint comes after cost-cutting measures exposed the city’s residents to lead and other health risks. The crisis helped lead to a nationwide effort to remove lead pipes from residences.

11,000 pipes replaced as part of a settlement over water contamination

A progress report submitted by Michigan officials to a court Tuesday affirmed that the city had completed its process of removing and replacing lead pipes in the city. In total, the report details that 11,000 lead pipes had been replaced and 28,000 properties had been assessed for lead throughout the city. The lead remediation came after a 2017 lawsuit was filed on behalf of city residents who had been exposed to contaminated water as part of a cost-cutting measure. The lawsuit was settled in 2021 for $626 million, as well as an agreement for the city to replace lead pipes for free. Although the replacement program has been completed, an estimated 4,000 homes still contain lead pipes that were not removed because the properties were vacant or because homeowners opted out of the voluntary replacement offer.

Water crisis over a decade old

The Flint water crisis began in 2014 when government officials switched the source of the city’s water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River in a cost-cutting measure. It was later confirmed that the city’s drinking water was contaminated with lead as a result of the change. Members of the city’s majority-Black and predominantly lower-income population, especially the community’s children, were put at risk of suffering neurological damage as a result of lead exposure. Additionally, the switch led to an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease, which killed 12 people and caused dozens more to fall ill.

After Flint, national attention focused on water contamination

The Flint case brought national attention to the Michigan city and to the larger issue of lead contamination and other threats to clean drinking water that often impact minority and financially challenged communities. The Biden administration allocated $15 billion for lead pipe replacement as part of its bipartisan infrastructure bill that was passed by Congress and signed into law, and Biden later allocated an additional $3 billion for efforts to lower lead exposure in drinking water. Last October, the Environmental Protection Agency required that all lead pipes across the country be removed over the next decade, which the agency estimated would cost $45 billion or more. The Trump administration is currently considering whether or not it will continue to enforce Biden’s regulations concerning lead and copper.

The outcome of the Trump administration’s review could have a significant impact on whether or not lead pipes and other sources of water contamination are addressed across the nation or ignored. For Flint, at least, officials appear to have finally addressed the situation that endangered the health of tens of thousands of residents throughout the city.

“Mama” Mosie Burks, the legendary gospel singer who was a member of the Mississippi Mass Choir, has died at age 92, according to WAPT. The Mississippi Mass Choir confirmed the singer’s death via Facebook, saying, “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of one of our beloved and legendary members, Mama Mosie Burks.”

The Mississippi Mass Choir remembers their beloved member as “a true Gospel pioneer” and “the unmistakable voice behind some of the Mississippi Mass Choir’s most cherished songs.” Those songs include “They Got the Word,” “I’m Not Tired Yet” and “This Morning When I Rose.”

“Her daughter confirmed her passing via Facebook, and we will keep everyone informed as memorial details are finalized,” the group stated. “Mama Mosie’s powerful voice, unshakable faith, and joyful spirit touched hearts around the world and helped define the sound and soul of the Mississippi Mass Choir. Please keep her family, friends, and the entire Mississippi Mass Choir family in your prayers during this difficult time. Her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.”

‘Mama’ Mosie Burks fell in love with music at an early age

According to the MALACO Music Group, Burks found her passion when she learned guitar at age 12 and played at her local church in Forest, Mississippi. She grew up picking cotton with her parents to earn a living.

When she later moved to Jackson, Mississippi, Burks cleaned houses to raise money for college. However, Burks’ plans took a turn when her mother died at age 40. At that time, Burks’ father put her in charge of taking care of the younger children. That’s when she worked as a maid to help raise her siblings. 

After getting married in her twenties, Burks started attending Tougaloo College to study voice. However, she faced another tragedy when her husband became seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident and died in 1984 after experiencing health issues for years. Burks started working with the South Central Bell Telephone Company after the tragedy and spent part of her time singing in churches.

When did ‘Mama’ Mosie Burks join the Mississippi Mass Choir?

The Mississippi native married in 1992 and planned to spend some time traveling with her husband. Around the same time, she received an offer from Frank Williams, who asked her to join his Mississippi Mass Choir. Burks initially turned down the offer.

When Williams died a short time later, his widow Katrina once again offered Burks a chance to join the choir. Burks accepted the offer this time and went on to become a legendary singer.

Sade Perkins, a former Houston mayoral appointee and food insecurity board member, is under fire for referring to a Texan all-girls camp as “white-only” just hours after the facility was hit by a deadly flood, killing young campers and leaving others missing.

According to the New York Post, Perkins shared her controversial take on the tragedy in a TikTok video.

Perkins accused the camp of racism amid the rising death toll

In a since-deleted TikTok video shared on Sunday, Perkins, who former Mayor Sylvester Turner appointed to Houston’s Food Insecurity Board in 2023, spoke about the Camp Mystic flood crisis and described the institution as a “white-only girls Christian camp,” Click 2 Houston reported.

“I know I’m going to get canceled for this, but Camp Mystic is a white-only girls’ Christian camp. They don’t even have a token Asian. They don’t have a token Black person. It’s an all-white, white-only conservative Christian camp,” she said in the video.

“If you ain’t white, you ain’t right, you ain’t gettin’ in, you ain’t goin’. Period,” Perkins continued, adding, “If this were a group of Hispanic girls out there, this would not be getting this type of coverage that they’re getting, no one would give a f**k, and all these white people, the parents of these little girls, would be saying things like ‘they need to be deported, they shouldn’t have been here in the first place’ and yada yada yada.”

Do you want to hear the voice of evil?Houston Food Insecurity Board Member Blasts People Helping Find the ‘White’ Girls Missing in Texas Flood Disaster.Lies about Camp Mystic being “Whites Only.”Does @houmayor support this? pic.twitter.com/2BjfNtA12Z— Carmine Sabia (@CarmineSabia) July 6, 2025

The Houston Mayor’s Office confirms Perkins will be ‘permanently’ removed from the board

Perkins’ clip quickly went viral, with many condemning her comments on the tragedy. After journalist Carmine Sabia called on the Houston Mayor’s Office to respond on X, formerly Twitter, it denounced the former mayoral appointee’s claims.

“The comments shared on social media are deeply inappropriate and have no place in a decent society, especially as families grieve the confirmed deaths and the ongoing search for the missing,” the Houston Mayor’s Office wrote. “The individual who made these statements is not a City of Houston employee. She was appointed to the City’s Food Insecurity Board by former Mayor Sylvester Turner in 2023, and her term expired in January 2025. Mayor John Whitmire has no plans to reappoint her, and the City is taking immediate steps to remove her permanently from the board.”

The comments shared on social media are deeply inappropriate and have no place in a decent society, especially as families grieve the confirmed deaths and the ongoing search for the missing.The individual who made these statements is not a City of Houston employee.— Houston Mayor’s Office (@houmayor) July 6, 2025

She was appointed to the City’s Food Insecurity Board by former Mayor Sylvester Turner in 2023, and her term expired in January 2025.Mayor John Whitmire has no plans to reappoint her, and the City is taking immediate steps to remove her permanently from the board.— Houston Mayor’s Office (@houmayor) July 6, 2025

Camp Mystic death toll rises to 48 adults and 27 children

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed on Monday morning that 75 bodies have been recovered from the flood, which hit the facility on July 4. CNN reported that the death toll includes 48 adults and 27 children.

“Of this 48 adults and 27 children, 15 adults and nine children are pending identification,” Leitha said during a news conference, adding, “At present there are 10 campers from Camp Mystic unaccounted for and one counselor.”

As of Monday, the death toll from the Texas floods is 89.