Health Insurance Costs Surge as Policy Fight Drags On

The Conversation - Dec. 15, 2025 - the deadline for enrolling in a marketplace plan through the Affordable Care Act for 2026 - came and went without an agreement on the federal subsidies that kept ACA plans more affordable for many Americans. Despite a last-ditch attempt in the House to extend ACA subsidies, with Congress adjourning for the year on Dec. 19, it's looking almost certain that Americans relying on

Black Women’s Leadership Collective North Carolina

By Jheri Hardaway Staff Writer The Black Women's Leadership Collective (BWLC) is emerging as a critical force in American politics, acting as a strategic organizing hub to significantly amplify the social and political influence of Black women nationwide. Powered by the "Power Rising" initiative, the BWLC connects national organizations, advocates, and grassroots supporters to ensure Black women are powerfully represented, both at the ballot box-mobilizing an audience of over 20

’60 Minutes’ report on Salvadoran prison pops up online after being pulled by CBS

NEW YORK, Dec 22 (Reuters) - A "60 Minutes" report on a Salvadoran mega-prison housing U.S.-deported migrants spread online on Monday, a day after CBS News pulled the segment before its scheduled Sunday broadcast, saying it needed more reporting. The segment, which included allegations that Venezuelan deportees sent to the prison were tortured and raised questions about how the U.S. characterized them, had first mistakenly streamed on Canada's Global TV

Housing affordability, availability top the news in 2025

NC NEWSLINE - Housing affordability and availability spent a lot of time in the headlines in North Carolina and across the country in 2025. Rents have risen faster than incomes, pushing rental units out of reach of many modest income tenants. And while interest rates have begun to come down, higher rates in recent years and climbing home prices have pushed  homeownership out of reach for many Americans.    

UN Recognizes Haitian Music And Dance

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) - Compas, a beloved Haitian music and dance genre inspired by merengue and infused with percussion, made UNESCO's cultural heritage list on Wednesday. The syncopated rhythm, created in the 1950s, wafts from bars, bedrooms and businesses across Haiti, lifting spirits and providing solace from the country's grinding poverty and soaring gang violence. On the night of Nov. 18, when Haiti classified for the World Cup for the

Reclaiming the Truth: The Legacy Of Scholar-Captive Omar Ibn Said 

By Jheri Hardaway Staff Writer Fayetteville, N.C. - In a gathering defined by deep spiritual reflection and a determined search for historical accuracy, community members, scholars, and historians came together recently to honor the legacy of Omar ibn Said. The event, centered around a communal circle modeled after West African village traditions, focused on the life of Said, a highly educated Muslim scholar from Futa Toro (modern-day Senegal) who was

How AI is Reshaping The Way We Write and Speak

By Jordan Meadows Staff Writer Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the way we communicate, influencing not only the tools we use but also the structure, tone, and rhythm of modern language. As these systems become more embedded in everyday life, they quietly redefine ideas of clarity, efficiency, and correctness in written English, raising questions about authorship, authenticity, and the future of language itself. The paragraph you just read was written

How Edgecombe County’s Brick School Built A Legacy In Eastern NC

  By Jordan Meadows Staff Writer Before Brick became known as a place of learning, the land in Edgecombe County carried the weight of the Civil War and slavery. As Union armies moved south in a final effort to end the conflict, General Oliver O. Howard passed through North Carolina, while General L.G. Estes traveled an eastern route through towns such as New Bern, Kinston, and Rocky Mount. When Estes

A New USW Leader Prepares To Take Office And Is Also Making History

Pittsburgh - A historic new slate of officers will take over leadership of the United Steelworkers (USW) in March following the union's regular four-year nomination and election process that took place this fall. Roxanne Brown, currently serving as USW international vice president at large, will be sworn in March 1, 2026, as the union's next international president. Brown replaces David McCall, who did not seek reelection, having served as USW

Carl Carlton, Soul And Funk Icon Behind “Bad Mama Jama,” Dies

Carl Carlton, the Detroit-born singer whose voice helped shape generations of soul, funk, and R&B, has died at the age of 72. His death was confirmed by family members on December 14, 2025. Carlton had experienced ongoing health issues in recent years following a stroke in 2019. Carlton, born Carlton Hudgens on May 21, 1953, showed musical talent early. Raised in Detroit, he began singing as a child and entered