Healthcare workers, union members, and community advocates gathered in Albany for a powerful day of action as part of 1199SEIU’s ongoing “Code Red” campaign, calling for the protection and expansion of Medicaid funding in New York.  Hosted by Miabelle of Hot 97’s Mornings With Mero, the rally brought together thousands who braved the cold and early morning hours to stand in solidarity for hospitals, home care services, nursing homes, and community-based healthcare organizations.  A Morning of Energy, Engagement, and Unity The day kicked off with an energetic welcome from Miabelle, who set the tone by recognizing the dedication of 1199 members and their commitment to fighting for healthcare access. Attendees participated in interactive quiz segments covering union history, pop culture, New York City trivia, and sports—creating a lively and engaging atmosphere while reinforcing community and shared identity.  Music from DJ Spazo kept the momentum going, while participants warmed up both physically and emotionally ahead of the rally’s central programming. Voices from the Frontlines As the crowd grew, the event shifted into a powerful demonstration of collective voice. Members from across healthcare sectors—including nurses, home care workers, and community partners—took to microphones to share personal stories and explain what they are fighting for. From major institutions like Montefiore, Northwell, and Mount Sinai to workers across boroughs including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island, the diversity of voices underscored the widespread impact of potential healthcare cuts.  Leadership and Advocacy Take Center Stage The rally featured remarks from key leaders and advocates, beginning with an invocation by Reverend Dr. Charles Galbreath, who emphasized the moral urgency of healthcare justice. 1199SEIU President Yvonne Armstrong delivered a central address, highlighting decades of advocacy and the union’s continued fight to protect Medicaid funding—not just as a policy issue, but as a matter of life and dignity.  New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie also addressed the crowd, reinforcing the importance of state-level leadership in safeguarding healthcare resources amid federal threats.  Additional speakers—including frontline healthcare workers, labor partners, and community leaders—shared firsthand accounts of how Medicaid cuts could devastate services and communities across the state. Building Momentum Toward Change Throughout the program, a clear message emerged: the fight is not over. With the state budget still being finalized, organizers stressed the importance of continued advocacy and pressure on elected officials. “This is the final push,” Miabelle told the crowd. “We need to raise our voices together one more time until we secure the resources we need.”  A Celebration of Culture and Community The rally concluded on a high note with a performance by Brooklyn rapper Fabolous, giving attendees a moment to celebrate their unity and resilience after months of organizing. A Call to Action As the event wrapped, the message remained clear and urgent: When healthcare workers fight, they win. With thousands mobilized and momentum building, 1199SEIU’s “Code Red” campaign continues to serve as a powerful example of collective action—aimed at protecting healthcare access not just in New York, but as a model for the rest of the nation. View this post on Instagram

Authorities are investigating an attempted burglary at a Southern California home linked to Christian Combs, the son of music mogul Sean Combs, according to law enforcement officials. Police responded early Thursday to a report of a break-in attempt at a residence in the Porter Ranch neighborhood of Los Angeles. Officers were dispatched around 12:45 a.m. after receiving a call about suspicious activity at the property.  Investigators said suspects attempted to gain entry by breaking a rear sliding glass door. They were unsuccessful and fled before officers arrived. No injuries were reported, and no arrests have been made. Authorities confirmed that no one was inside the home at the time of the incident. The Los Angeles Police Department has not publicly identified the residents.  Attempted break-in under investigation Law enforcement described the situation as a possible “hot prowl,” a term used when suspects attempt to enter a home that may be occupied.  In this case, however, officials said the occupants were away. Surveillance or monitoring systems may have played a role in alerting authorities. Reports indicate the suspects tried to enter through the back of the property before fleeing the scene. Investigators have not determined whether the home was specifically targeted because of its connection to Combs or if the attempt was random.  Property records reviewed by media outlets link the residence to Combs’ longtime partner, Raven Tracy. Neither Combs nor Tracy has publicly commented on the incident. Public profile draws attention Christian Combs, also known as King Combs, is a rapper and model who has built his own career in music and fashion. He is the son of Sean Combs and the late model Kim Porter.  The incident comes during a period of heightened public scrutiny surrounding the Combs family. Sean Combs is currently serving a federal prison sentence following a 2025 conviction on prostitution-related charges.  While authorities have not linked the attempted burglary to any broader circumstances, high-profile individuals are often considered potential targets for property crimes. Police continue to investigate the attempted break-in and are asking anyone with information to come forward.

A’ja Wilson and Bam Adebayo are basketball’s “Power Couple.” Since going public with their relationships last year, the two have been seen at each other’s games. ​Speaking with Vogue, Wilson expressed how connecting with Adebayo has been a game-changer for her life. ​‘I’m in love. But I also have to credit Bam because he loves me properly. I think that doesn’t get talked about a lot,” Wilson said. “He loves me on my days when I don’t know if I love myself. “And he does it in a way that’s not love-bombing. It’s more, ‘What do you need?’ Granted, he’s attractive, yes. But the real reason is that he just knows how to love me properly. And my parents like him.” ​Wilson also spoke on the need for the WNBA to properly compensate the league’s players just before the new CBA agreement was reached. ​”This is something that we need to stand on,” Wilson said to me of the negotiations while they were going on. “For real this time. This isn’t just like, ‘Oh, I want the million-dollar contract.’ This is for the generations after me. I don’t have a problem sitting at the table until we get what we want and get what we deserve.” View this post on Instagram ​She also shared how she met Beyoncé for the first time and how she’ll never forget. ​“Beyoncé is amazing. Now, when I see her, I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I met that lady. Get out of the way, everybody.’ Nothing else matters,” ​Wilson then spoke about how she formed lifelong bonds of sisterhood in her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha. I am, like, so grateful for the sisterhood that I formed in college through AKA, only because it allowed me to be a woman. It allowed me to be a young girl, because sometimes being a student athlete, you’re kind of trapped in this world of just, like, gym, class, gym, class, like, that was it.” ​“But when I gained my 60 sisters, I got an opportunity to actually enjoy the… college side of it…,” she added. “And so, as I’ve gotten older and I’ve become a leader… I have to credit AKA and our sisterhood when it comes to that.”

Latto is setting the record straight when it comes to her personal life. Amid ongoing speculation about her relationship, the artist made it clear that she’s not interested in proving anything to the public. In a recent interview with Paper Magazine, Latto addressed the curiosity surrounding her romance—widely believed to be with fellow rapper 21 Savage—and emphasized that her decision to keep things private is intentional. “I have nothing to prove to anyone. I have no rumor to clear up,” she says. “I’ve been with my man for years now, and it ain’t going nowhere. To me, that’s clearly a result of me moving and operating how I do.” Latto says, reinforcing her confidence in both herself and her relationship. The two artists have been linked since around 2020, with fans often speculating about their connection based on subtle clues and social media moments. Over time, Latto has acknowledged the relationship in her own way, referring to her partner as “my man” in interviews without diving into specifics. “too many cooks in the kitchen” “When it comes to female rappers, female artists — we’re told that we have to put so much of our life out there, and then it becomes too much about our personal life and not enough of the music,” Latto explains. “That’s how stuff just ends up crashing and burning, because you got too many cooks in the kitchen. I’m my own person outside of my relationship as well. I don’t want to make that the forefront of my existence, my career. I got a man at home, I’m happy and I’m well taken care of, and that’s about all anyone needs to know.” View this post on Instagram As previously reported, Latto announced her upcoming album, Big Mama, with a huge reveal that she is pregnant. “BIG MAMA (the album) 5/29. Business & Personal (Intro) song & video out now. Thank you God” she wrote via Instagram. View this post on Instagram

“Music is a passport.” — That’s what Mapy’s mother told her, and it turned out to be the truest words she’d ever hear. Mapy is an award-winning violinist who grew up in the projects, where no one else was playing classical music. She fell in love with the violin the day she played Biggie’s “Juicy” by ear — and never looked back. In this video, Mapy shares how music opened doors she never thought possible, from being overlooked as a law firm assistant to commanding stages around the world. She talks about breaking cultural boundaries with her instrument, inspiring self-taught musicians in places without teachers, and navigating the unique challenges women face in the music industry. Her message to young girls with big dreams? “If you have that vision, it’s because it’s possible.” In this video:0:00 — Growing up different1:30 — Falling in love with the violin through hip hop3:00 — Breaking boundaries between cultures4:00 — The challenges women face in music5:00 — A message to young dreamers

50 Cent trolls Usher after he defended Diddy in a recent interview. As previously reported, during a recent conversation with Jabari Young for Forbes’ The Enterprise Zone, Usher says he doesn’t have anything ill to say about Diddy. “I think certain people are prosecuted and maybe not recognized for the greatness that they offer,” Usher said. “I don’t have anything negative to say about Sean Combs. My experience was not what the world has seen and how he’s been, you know, misrepresented.” Usher continued, “I’m not saying that every man is perfect,” he explained. “I’m not saying that all of us don’t have flaws, but I can’t with any sense of humanity not recognize the valuable contributions that this man made for us as Black entrepreneurs, for us as people who transition culture and ideas into something that’s tangible. So many people benefited from what he created. And I acknowledge that. That’s why I see him as legacy.” 50 Cent caught wind of the comments, and trolled Usher via Instagram. “Usher like..I don’t want people to know what he did to my a*s. I’m a grown man now my a*s is off limits. LOL” View this post on Instagram Usher has yet to respond to 50 as of yet. Combs is currently serving a 50-month sentence at the Federal Correctional Institution Fort Dix on charges related to transportation for prostitution. This development continues to shape public discussion around his career and legacy.

Nicki Minaj has reportedly been “shut out” of the 2026 Met Gala due to her “loud and unapologetic” behavior on and off-stage. The annual event, scheduled for May 4 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, is overseen by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who curates its high-profile guest list. According to reports, Minaj’s absence follows a series of public controversies and industry tensions. The update on the Grammy Award-winning rapper’s banning comes from from Naughty But Nice‘s Rob Shuter. “Nicki’s invitations didn’t just slow down — they vanished,” he said ahead of the event. “Hollywood stopped returning her calls. This isn’t subtle anymore. She’s been shut out.” “There’s an invisible wall around her now,” the insider said. “And no one wants to be seen opening the gate.” Minaj has been a reoccurring attendee to the star-studded event, wearing head turning fashion looks. Day 2: Favorite Met Gala Look Nicki Minaj in Thom Browne at the 2025 Met Gala #8DaysOfOnika #8DaysOfNicki pic.twitter.com/0FyyrJy1aa — She’s Fishy ➐ (@ShesFishy) December 2, 2025 Nicki Minaj x Met Gala 17’ #8DaysOfNicki #8DaysOfNicki #32726 pic.twitter.com/7sZEjkwuaO — Rah Minaj (@_RahMinaj) December 3, 2025 Sources indicate that Minaj’s recent political statements and appearances have contributed to the situation. A notable moment cited was her appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, in December 2025, where she spoke about political figures and addressed her past views, stating, “It’s ok to change your mind.” “That was it,” a source said. “Hollywood doesn’t forgive this kind of alignment — especially when it’s loud and unapologetic. In December, Minaj took aim at California Governor Gavin Newsom, slammed transgender healthcare for minors, and made other controversial outbursts. She then continued boasting about President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. In January, Minaj called herself President Trump’s “number one fan.” The rapper, who once encouraged her gay fans to “be brave,” has switched stances to align herself with a party that actively tries to erase DEI programs and push legislation that undermines the rights of LGBTQIA+ students. Her ongoing public dispute with Roc Nation, – primarily centered on its founder JAY-Z and CEO Desiree Perez, have also contributed to her exclusion from the annual event. “Between the politics and the Roc Nation war, nobody wants to touch this,” another insider said. “There’s no formal ban — just a collective step back.” Minaj last attended the Met Gala in 2025, wearing a custom Thom Browne design. The 2026 theme, “Costume Art,” will focus on fashion as a sculptural and embodied art form, with a dress code encouraging creative interpretation of clothing and the body.

Back in 2025, Jay-Z and Diddy were named in a lawsuit, accusing them of raping a 13-year-old girl. Not long after it was reported, Jay dropped off a scathing response, vehemently denying the allegations. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed with prejudice. Now, in a recent sit-down interview with GQ, Jay-Z is finally sharing his thoughts on the incident. As the Roc Nation founder looks back on the situation, he reveals that the allegations initially left him “heartbroken.” “…I was really heartbroken by everything that occurred. We’re in a space now where it’s almost like consequence is not thought about enough. Because everything is so instant, you know what I’m saying?” Jay says. The billionaire entrepreneur also pointed out that the situation fueled an “uncontrollable anger” inside him. “You don’t put that on someone—that’s a thing that you better be super sure. It used to be like that. You had to be super sure before you put those kind of things on a person. Especially a person like me,” he continued. “Even when we were doing the worst things, we had those kind of rules. There was a line: no women, no kids. You hear those sayings, but those are the things that I took from the street. We lived and died by that. So it’s strict for me, like it meant a lot to me.” View this post on Instagram “I can’t take a settlement—it ain’t in my DNA,” Jay-Z Says Jay noted that his tight circle of family and friends provided a safe space for him amid the allegations. “I’ve built this circle that’s really safe for me of people that really love me, are not using me, and really care for my best interests. So I was able to have that in the most crucial time for me,” he says. “But again, there’s blessings and curses in all that. I also got to see how people felt about me, especially people that were close to me.” During another point in the conversation, the rapper revealed why he refused to pursue a settlement. According to Jay, he’d rather die than settle. “I can’t take a settlement—it ain’t in my DNA. First of all, first I had to tell my wife. Let’s back up. I know the weight that this is going to bring on our family. I can’t do it. I would die.” While Jay acknowledges it would have been easier to settle out of court, he reveals that his support system encouraged him to stand strong. “If I settled—make that thing go away. And for me, it would’ve been cheaper? Yes. Cheaper, quicker, move on with your life. I knew what was coming. I wasn’t naive. I called—again, after my family—my partners. They were like, “What do you need to help? Don’t even worry,” he said. “In a phone call. Not even a: “I got to go to the board with this.” It was like a testament because people know me. Like: “I know who you are, and that’s impossible. Not only are we standing by you, but what do you need?”

Reality star Tommie Lee is speaking out after social media erupted with speculation that she may be dating Julez Smith, the 21-year-old son of singer Solange Knowles. The rumors began circulating after videos surfaced online showing Lee and Smith spending time together during what appeared to be a night out. In the clips, the two looked comfortable and playful. View this post on Instagram Tommie Lee seeming addressed the speculation, shutting down the dating rumors. “Lol this was fun, hate to break it to ya, I’m not that typa girl!!” Tommie wrote via Instagram. “#nexttopic” she continued. View this post on Instagram Julez Smith has yet to speak out following the viral videos.

Cardi B has decided not to go through with the butt implant removal she had previously discussed. The Am I the Drama? rapper spoke on Today with Jenna & Sheinelle on March 24, promoting her new hair care brand, Grow-Good, and clarified her earlier comments about a planned procedure in Colombia. In February, Cardi had said she intended to travel after her Little Miss Drama tour to have a butt reduction. “After this tour, I don’t want to hear nobody for three months. I’m going to Colombia, nobody hit me up, nobody nothing. I’m taking this ass out,” Cardi said backstage at her Los Angeles concert. On Today, however, she revealed a change of heart. “I was saying that but I’m not gonna do it,” the 33-year-old Grammy winner admitted. “I was just gonna take a little bit of butt out. But I don’t have time for that. I feel really comfortable where I’m at right now with my body.” Cardi Opens Up on Motherhood and Rumors The mother of four acknowledged the physical changes that come with age and motherhood. “I don’t know if it’s the age or the fact that I got four kids,” she said, noting she still has “a whole bunch of cellulite.” “But I feel really good,” she added, emphasizing a newfound comfort with her body. Cardi also reflected on her waist, noting, “While my waist looks so perfect, I don’t think it is.” Yet she embraced her flaws, continuing, “But it’s okay, I’m loving my imperfections and everything and I just feel really comfortable. I feel really good.” Cardi also addressed persistent rumors surrounding her relationship with NFL star Stefon Diggs. The couple separated in February, months after welcoming their first child together, a son. She also shares three older children with her estranged husband, Offset. On the Call Her Daddy podcast, she dismissed claims that cosmetic concerns contributed to the breakup: “And it’s just like… the way this ass be getting eaten, it can’t be… I’m very anal about how I smell. I don’t know who made the rumors that BBL’s stink, but it’s like… it doesn’t stink.”