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Last December, Pastor Kristina Java was invited to speak at a church in New York by her spiritual father and the founder of Kingdom Embassy Church, Prophet Passion Java. Excited about the opportunity, she published a video on Instagram of the […]

On Monday, Underwood performed an a cappella version of “America the Beautiful” after Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States of America inside the US Capitol Rotunda. Afterward, the country superstar immediately walked over to […]

According to CBS News, First Lady Melania Trump held two Bibles — one his mother had given to Trump when he was a child and the Lincoln Bible, which was used during President Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration in 1861. During the […]

As a massive winter storm continues its treacherous journey, major hubs like Houston and Atlanta are grappling with significant snowfall. Several metropolitan areas along the Interstate 10 corridor have been issued a rare blizzard warning. According to Fox Weather, this is a first for the region.

Fatal Accidents Highlight Danger on Texas Roads

On Tuesday morning, two vehicles collided east of La Pryor, Texas, on Highway 57 in Zavala County. Uvalde County Constable Emmanuel Zamora confirmed “several fatalities” were involved.

“First responders on scene indicating slippery roads while responding to accident,” Zamora wrote in a Facebook post. “Medical helicopter could not respond to assist due to weather. Prayers for all involved.”

Houston residents had been bracing for the storm for days. Local officials, responders, utility workers, and snow removal crews have worked tirelessly to prepare for the unprecedented conditions.

“We’re doing everything we can to prepare for this winter storm,” Houston Mayor John Whitmire said. “We will be here to keep you safe and respond to emergencies, but we need your help.”

As schools, airports, public transportation, and hospital outpatient services shut down, Whitmire urged residents to stay indoors and off the icy roads.

“We don’t want you to risk your life or jeopardize the safety of our police officers and firefighters if they have to rescue you when you could have stayed home,” he said. “Our first responders must remain focused on critical incidents as conditions worsen.”

Blizzard Warning Extends to Louisiana and Beyond

Southeastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana are facing heavy snow and wind gusts exceeding 35 mph. Louisiana has been issued its first-ever blizzard warning, with parts of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi expected to receive over 5 inches of snow on Tuesday. Other areas may see 1–2 inches, Fox Weather reported.

How Freezing Rain Threatens Florida and Georgia

Residents in northern Florida and parts of southern Georgia are also at risk. As the low-pressure system strengthens over the northern Gulf of Mexico, warm air drawn over the Southeast will cause snowflakes to melt. When refreezing at the surface, this will lead to dangerous freezing rain.

According to the National Weather Service, those in affected areas should stay at home and limit time outdoors to avoid life-threatening conditions.

Less than 24 hours after TikTok went offline in the U.S., Donald Trump released a statement saying he’d take action when he takes office on Monday. Shortly after his announcement, TikTok suddenly became available to users again.

According to CNN, Trump said in his statement that he would issue an executive order to delay the ban. While some users are happy to see the return of TikTok, others have raised concerns about Trump’s motives and his partnership with the company.

Did TikTok Shut Down Voluntarily?

To clarify, TikTok was never officially banned or mandated to shut down by Saturday. The company voluntarily took itself offline. The law, which would have gone into effect Sunday, would not have been enforced by President Joe Biden, as he said that responsibility would have fallen under the Trump administration.

“Anyone who truly believed this was going to happen beyond ‘we’re totally shut down in the U.S. today’ as a way to prop up Trump as its savior (when he started the whole convo about banning it) is truly a dumdum,” someone wrote on X after TikTok announced on Sunday morning that it was back online.

Anyone who truly believed this was going to happen beyond “we’re totally shutdown in the US today” as a way to prop up Trump as its savior (when he started the whole convo about banning it) is truly a dumdum.
— Zachari (@Zachari) January 19, 2025

Several others also raised similar suspicions. “Biggest PR stunt ever,” another X user wrote.

biggest pr stunt ever😭
— Angelica Reed (@Angelica_Reed1) January 19, 2025

TikTok’s Future Still Uncertain

As TikTok came back online Sunday, the company praised Trump in a message to users on the platform.

“Thanks for your patience and support. As a result of President Trump’s efforts, TikTok is back in the U.S.!” the app wrote.

Trump, according to CNN, said he would consider a 90-day extension for TikTok to sell to a non-Chinese entity.

“In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 million Americans and allowing over 7 million small businesses to thrive,” the company said, per CNN. “We will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps TikTok in the United States.”

While Trump said he would “extend the period of time” before the ban takes effect, the future of the company remains unclear. Congress passed the ban with strong bipartisan support, citing national security concerns. In April, Biden signed a law that gave ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, 270 days to sell the app to an American owner or face a ban.

According to the Associated Press, it was Trump who initially led the effort to ban TikTok during his first term. Ironically, the company is now crediting him for bringing back the app for Americans.

Philadelphia high school basketball star Noah Scurry was fatally shot Tuesday morning while on his way to school with his mother.

A Philadelphia police spokesperson told CBS News that Scurry was shot near the 5000 block of Rorer Street, close to Tacony Creek Park and Roosevelt Boulevard, at approximately 7:15 a.m. Officers arrived to find Scurry had suffered multiple gunshot wounds across his body. NBC Philadelphia , citing a law enforcement source, reported the 17-year-old was shot “dozens” of times.

Medics and the Philadelphia Fire Department transported Scurry to Jefferson Einstein Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:37 a.m., according to People.

While police initially stated that a weapon was recovered, they later confirmed no weapon was found at the scene. Authorities did recover a white Jeep Grand Cherokee that matched the description of a vehicle seen on surveillance footage near the crime scene. An investigation is ongoing.

Noah Scurry, 17. identified by @PhillyPolice as Samuel Fels High School student shot & killed after leaving his home for school this morning. On the basketball team & had highest score among Fels students on SAT college placement test. pic.twitter.com/91lLG6BXaw— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) January 14, 2025

Remembering Noah Scurry

The news of Scurry’s death has left his high school community in mourning. The team’s games were been canceled for the week.

“Ours is a tight-knit community, and I know that this is difficult news to receive even when it doesn’t occur on school property,” Samuel Fels High School principal Melissa Rasper wrote in a letter to families Tuesday. “Death is rarely something that is easy to accept, especially when it involves a young person, a classmate, and particularly during these times as our city grapples with heightened gun violence.”

Scurry, who achieved the school’s highest SAT scores, was a standout both academically and athletically and he was being scouted by colleges.

Rap Video Released Before His Death

As Fox 29 reported, law enforcement sources told then news station that “there was a rap video posted the day before Scurry was killed, that sources believe shows Scurry, in a ‘joker’ mask, appearing to hold guns. The video shows other individuals dancing alongside him, also holding and showing off guns.”

A spokesperson for the school district, Monique Braxton, told Fox 29, “This teenager that was killed was exceptional. As far as the school was concerned, there had not been any issues between this person who was killed and any other student. They don’t know of anything going on in the community as well.”

Mohamed Elfaki, a 10th-grade student at Samuel Fels High School, described the emotional toll the incident has had on students.

“The basketball boys weren’t in the lunchroom. The whole school seemed upset. I saw people crying. It was just traumatic,” Elfaki told CBS News. “He was really smart. Whenever he entered a room, the room always lit. There was always a smile on somebody’s face when you were around him. Just so sad to think that he died.”

To support students during this difficult time, the school has provided mental health professionals and counselors. A GoFundMe has been created to support his family with funeral costs.

Calls for Action on Gun Violence

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Arthur Steinberg issued a statement addressing Scurry’s death, saying, “We are devastated that senseless gun violence has claimed the life of another Philadelphia public school student. Every child deserves the freedom to learn, mature, and thrive without the threat of violence.”

Steinberg acknowledged the progress made in reducing homicides in the city but emphasized, “While the historic decline in homicides in Philadelphia is a tremendous achievement, every preventable act of violence is unacceptable,” as reported by People.

Tyler Perry’s recent Netflix film, The Six Triple Eight, tells the story of a dynamic group of Black military women for their service to America. They were the first and only multi-ethnic unit of predominantly Black women deployed to serve […]

A number of high-profile Black and Latino celebrities are expected to Donald Trump‘s inauguration on Monday. The list includes well-known entertainers, athletes and other popularity personalities, NBC News reported. Former NFL player Antonio Brown is among the athletes expected to attend the event, along with boxing legend Mike Tyson, hockey star Evander Kane and UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal. Rappers Rod Wave, Kodak Black and Fivio Foreign are also set to make their appearance.

Rapper Nelly will attend Monday’s festivities as well when he performs at the Inaugural Liberty Ball, CBS News reported.

On Friday, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy also performed at the Crypto Ball, a reportedly Trump-affiliated event hosted by his “AI and Crypto Czar” David Sacks.