Diddy Trades Mansions For One of New York’s Most Dangerous Prisons, Texts Between Diddy And Cassie Are Very Bad, Rip to Tito Jackson and Other Black Celebs Who Died and More News

A collection of The Root’s best posts of the week in news

These Shocking Texts Between Diddy And Cassie Are Just As Bad As You’d Expect

Photo: Getty Images Shareif Ziyadat

On Wednesday (Sep. 18), text messages were shared in the sex-trafficking case against Sean “Diddy” Combs. He was denied bail by Manhattan federal Judge Andrew Carter Jr., as he deemed Combs’ suggestion for home and electronic monitoring “insufficient.” – Candace McDuffie Read More

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
You Won’t Believe the Reason Why This ‘High School Musical’ Movie is Monique Coleman’s All Time Favorite

Indiana Mom Allegedly Plays a Truly Stupid Game Resulting in a Horrible Conclusion For Her 8-Year-Old Daughter

Photo: St. Joseph County Jail

Everyone remembers that game where their mom would head to the car and tease (or threaten) to leave them if they didn’t hurry up getting ready for school, church or whatever else. However, police say this game took a horrifying turn between an Indiana mother and her small child. – Kalyn Womack Read More

Black Celebs We Lost in 2024

Photo: Getty Images Marcus Ingram – ABA

Black people have had a significant impact on every aspect of life. From entertainment to sports to politics, to business, we’ve made this world a better place. Sadly, 2024 has seen us lose some of these industries’ most important figures. As we continue to make it through the year, join us in honoring the lives and legacy of those we’ve lost in 2024. – Root Staff Read More

The Racist Mess This Teacher Allegedly Said to a Black Girl is a Problem

Screenshot: ABC 7 Chicago

The latest lawsuit to enter federal court comes from a mother who claims her daughter had a disturbing encounter with her math teacher. And by disturbing, we mean racist. – Kalyn Womack Read More

A 7-Year-old Ft. Lauderdale Black Boy Died Christmas Morning, What His Alleged Killers Did is Heartbreaking

Screenshot: GoFundMe

When 7-year-old Deonte Atwell of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. died of malnutrition on Christmas Day last year, an autopsy revealed that his bones were sticking out through his skin. No one was charged at the time, but local authorities continued to investigate why the young boy died while being around friends and family. – Noah A. McGee Read More

Diddy Trades Lap of Luxury For One of New York’s Most Dangerous Prisons

Photo: Getty Images Rich Polk

Sean “Diddy” Combs found success in the music world at a young age, which means despite his humble beginnings, he’s been living an extremely privileged life for a very long time. That all changed overnight when the music mogul was arrested on charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. – Stephanie Holland Read More

Here’s Why Diddy Came to NYC Before His Federal Arrest?

Photo: Getty Images Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for REVOLT

With Diddy now in federal custody, more details are coming out on why the disgraced music mogul was in New York, seemingly enjoying life just days before his arrest. – Noah A. McGee Read More

Amid A Horrible Week, Diddy Has Secured a Rare Legal Win

Photo: Getty Images Lexie Moreland/WWD

Even though Diddy was recently arrested and indicted on a scathing list of federal charges, the Bad Boy Records founder did secure a legal win in a lawsuit that previously ordered him to pay millions of dollars to a Detroit man in prison. – Noah A. McGee Read More

Family Says Young, Black Man Was Lynched In NC, But Is That How He Really Died?

Photo: Facebook

A TikTok video about the alleged lynching of a Black truck driver has taken over social media. Police claim there’s no reason to assume foul play. However, the victim’s family believes there’s a coverup afoot. – Kalyn Womack Read More

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ History of Controversy, Legal Trouble

Photo: Getty Images Joe Maher

Sean “Diddy” Combs has spent most of his career surrounded by controversy and scandal. However, none has been as serious as the legal trouble he now finds himself in: On Sept. 16, the rapper/producer was arrested on charges of racketeering, conspiracy and sex trafficking. The following day, he pleaded not guilty and was denied bail. – Stephanie Holland Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Books By Black Authors We Can't Wait to Read in April 2026

Books By Black Authors We Can’t Wait to Read in April 2026

They say April showers bring May flowers, but in 2026, the first month of spring also promises to bring an amazing list of books by Black authors …
These 15 Beloved White Hollywood Icons Have a Racist Past

These 15 Beloved White Hollywood Icons Have a Racist Past

From John Wayne to Doris Day, these 15 Hollywood stars have been accused of being racist …
Black Nurse Details Terror, Heroism After Plane Crash on LaGuardia Runway

Black Nurse Details Terror, Heroism After Plane Crash on LaGuardia Runway

A Black nurse explains what happened in the moments after the LaGuardia plane crash which killed two pilots …
Brandy Reveals Her Last Conversation With Whitney Houston The Day Before Her Death

Brandy Reveals Her Last Conversation With Whitney Houston The Day Before Her Death

Brandy Norwood is detailing her last moments with Whitney Houston before her shocking death in 2012 …
The Chilling Rise of the 'Alpine Divorce,' Where Men Take Their Wives to Hike— Then Purposefully Abandon Them

The Chilling Rise of the ‘Alpine Divorce,’ Where Men Take Their Wives to Hike— Then Purposefully Abandon Them

Inside the dangerous relationship trend you’ve never heard of: Alpine divorces, where men desert their partners on hikes to break up …
Could This Brilliant Morehouse Student Become The Next Mike Tyson?

Could This Brilliant Morehouse Student Become The Next Mike Tyson?

A top-ranked boxer and a star student, Morehouse junior Chad Pitts is changing the narrative about what a Morehouse man can be …
Professor: The Tiger Woods Crash Is Exactly Why Rich Black Men Need Drivers

Professor: The Tiger Woods Crash Is Exactly Why Rich Black Men Need Drivers

Opinion: A rollover crash adds to a troubling pattern and raises a bigger question about risk, control, and why some Black stars still insist on driving themselves …
Expert Weighs in on Mental Toll of Record-Breaking Job Loss for Black Women

Expert Weighs in on Mental Toll of Record-Breaking Job Loss for Black Women

Dr. LaNail R. Plummer, CEO of Onyx Therapy Group, explains how job loss can trigger anxiety, depression, and trauma among Black women …
Breaking: Tiger Woods Arrested, Charged With DUI After Rollover Crash in FL

Breaking: Tiger Woods Arrested, Charged With DUI After Rollover Crash in FL

Legendary golfer Tiger Woods was just involved in a rollover crash in Florida almost five years after a previous car accident almost cost his life …
A Latino Man Breaks Down Hispanic's ‘Polite’ Racism Black People Probably Won’t Notice Immediately

A Latino Man Breaks Down Hispanic’s ‘Polite’ Racism Black People Probably Won’t Notice Immediately

A Latino TikToker just said the quiet part out loud, explaining how Hispanics are indeed racist towards Black people and exactly how they do it in front of you …
Howard University Launches Cardi B-Inspired Hip Hop Course

Howard University Launches Cardi B-Inspired Hip Hop Course

Howard University has just announced a new Cardi B-inspired Hip Hop course for students, and we have the tea! …
Arsenio Hall Reveals Why We Have Eddie Murphy to Thank For Keeping 'Coming to America' From Getting Scrapped

Arsenio Hall Reveals Why We Have Eddie Murphy to Thank For Keeping ‘Coming to America’ From Getting Scrapped

‘Coming to America’ may be a beloved cult classic now, but according to star Arsenio Hall, it almost didn’t see the light of day. Now we know what turned things around! …
Here is Why Druski Is Winning!

Here is Why Druski Is Winning!

Druski is not avoiding controversy. He just understands the culture well enough to get it right and build an audience of millions …
Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay Weighs in on the Show's Current Scandal

Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay Weighs in on the Show’s Current Scandal

Former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay speaks out on the current season’s major scandal. Let’s break it down …
A Running List of Everything President Trump Is Planning to Name After Himself

A Running List of Everything President Trump Is Planning to Name After Himself

From $100 bills with Trump’s signature on it to renaming several buildings in his honor, here’s everything President Trump has named or renamed after himself …
State Comptroller Targeted More than 15,000 Businesses Owned by Women & People of Color — And It Wasn’t an Accident

State Comptroller Targeted More than 15,000 Businesses Owned by Women & People of Color — And It Wasn’t an Accident

Texas businesses owned by women and people of color just filed a landmark lawsuit against the State …
Black Women Have Proven Their Worth. So Why Are They Being Targeted?

Black Women Have Proven Their Worth. So Why Are They Being Targeted?

Despite historic gains in degrees and entrepreneurship, nearly 600,000 Black women were “economically sidelined” in 2025 alone, according to Fortune. Credentials and hard work have not shielded them from glaring pay gaps, bias or stalled advancement …
Here's a Full Timeline of Trump's Years-Long Beef with AG Letitia James

Here’s a Full Timeline of Trump’s Years-Long Beef with AG Letitia James

If you’re not caught up with the latest beef between Trump and Letitia James, don’t worry. We have you covered with everything to know since 2022 …
HBCU Alumni Score Higher in Brain Health Than PWI Peers, New Study Finds

HBCU Alumni Score Higher in Brain Health Than PWI Peers, New Study Finds

A new study shows that the HBCU experience may actually be connected to a lifetime of well-being …
Rihanna Gives Firsthand Account of Home Shooting Incident

Rihanna Gives Firsthand Account of Home Shooting Incident

New details from Rihanna are emerging about her unfortunate home shooting from Let’s get into it …