Illinois ‘Super Mayor’ Tiffany Henyard’s Drama, Rickey Smiley’s Advice For Undecided Voters, Black America Gets Annoyed With Walz’s ‘Minnesota Nice,’ Nevada GOP Congressman Calls CBC ‘Racist’ And More

A collection of The Root’s most important political stories from the week.

Illinois ‘Super Mayor’ Tiffany Henyard is Facing an Immediate Problem Amid Her Spending Scandals

Screenshot: FOX 32 Chicago

More bad news for Dolton, Ill.’s self-proclaimed “Super Mayor” Tiffany Henyard. Amidst federal probes into her spending habits and outstanding balances, it appears she forgot to pay the bill that probably matters the most. – Kalyn Womack Read More

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
New York County Ballot Lawsuit Sparks Election Integrity Firestorm on Social Media

After Speaking With Kamala Harris, Rickey Smiley Has a Message for Undecided Voters

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JULY 07: Rickey Smiley attends the 2024 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture™ Presented By Coca-Cola® at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on July 07, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo: Getty Images Marcus Ingram

With just over 30 days before the 2024 presidential election, Vice President Kamala Harris continues to make the case for her campaign. Although 84 percent of Black registered voters say they would vote for the Vice President if the election were held today, according to a Pew Research study, she’s doing everything she can to bring Trump supporters and undecided voters on board as well. – Angela Johnson Read More

Black America Is Annoyed With Walz’s ‘Minnesota Nice’ Debate Demeanor While Vance Shocked Everyone

Photo: Getty Images Chip Somodevilla

Black group chats were blowing up last night during the only vice presidential debate between J.D. Vance and Tim Walz. Some might say the debate showcased a tale of two different Americas, one progressive and one regressive, but that’s not exactly why Black America took to the social media app X to express their frustrations. – Candace McDuffie Read More

Kamala Harris May Be Leading Trump In The Polls, But Here’s Why Her Supporters Should Be Nervous

Photo: Getty Images Taylor Hill

As November and the presidential election continues to get closer, Vice President Kamala Harris is still leading in the polls. According to the latest average of national polls—collated by FiveThirtyEight—Harris has a 2.8-point lead over Trump. – Candace McDuffie Read More

The Harris-Walz Campaign Has Given Its Own Version of Trump’s “Concept of a Plan” For Healthcare

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Swensen

In a move that calls back to the last presidential debate, the Harris-Walz campaign has gone into attack mode against the Trump-Vance ticket on the topic of healthcare. – William Ketchum Read More

LISTEN: Nevada GOP Candidate Calls Congressional Black Caucus ‘Most Racist People In The World,’ And It’s Not the First Time…

Photo: Las Vegas Review-Journal

In new, disturbing audio obtained by HuffPost, Republican congressional candidate John Lee stated that he’s “not worried about Black people” in his impending Congress bid. – Candace McDuffie Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Usher and Bieber Oscar Fight, Druski's White Grandad: How to Spot These Deepfake News Stories

Usher and Bieber Oscar Fight, Druski’s White Grandad: How to Spot These Deepfake News Stories

To help you sharpen your digital defenses and separate fact from fiction, we are debunking viral “news” stories that were entirely fake …
6 Dangerous Health Conditions Affecting Black America and What To Do

6 Dangerous Health Conditions Affecting Black America and What To Do

Health issues in Black communities are influenced by social, environmental, and genetic factors. Understanding and managing these conditions is key to staying healthy …
EXCLUSIVE: Halle Bailey, Regé-Jean Page Keep It Real About Love in 2026

EXCLUSIVE: Halle Bailey, Regé-Jean Page Keep It Real About Love in 2026

The Root spoke with Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page ahead of the release of their new romcom, ‘You, Me & Tuscany,’ which is out in theaters on April 10! …
Chick-fil-A Worker Finds $10K ... And Then This Happened

Chick-fil-A Worker Finds $10K … And Then This Happened

A Chick-fil-A employee in North Carolina returned nearly $10,000 he found on Good Friday, saying his faith and values made keeping the money unthinkable …
The Story About How Dr. Dre Finally Became a Billionaire

The Story About How Dr. Dre Finally Became a Billionaire

Dr. Dre has officially reached billionaire status. Here’s exactly how he did it! …
How Angela Davis Predicted The Modern Face Of Fascism in 1971

How Angela Davis Predicted The Modern Face Of Fascism in 1971

Fifty years prior to rumors of fascism circling President Trump, activist and philosopher Angela Davis made a spooky prediction about dictatorship in the U.S …
New Black Bridgerton Cast Has the Internet Shook In the Best Way!

New Black Bridgerton Cast Has the Internet Shook In the Best Way!

There’s about to be a whole lot of Black excellence in ‘Bridgerton’ season 5 thanks to a handful of new faces. And folks online can’t get enough! …
New Developments in the Tiger Woods DUI Case

New Developments in the Tiger Woods DUI Case

The gold legend is facing two misdemeanor charges in Florida following a single-rollover car crash in March …
A VA Black Mega Church Donated $1 Million to Keep Local Residents in Their Homes

A VA Black Mega Church Donated $1 Million to Keep Local Residents in Their Homes

In a stunning partnership with the mayor of Alexandria, Alfred Street Baptist Church has stepped up and paid off debts for hundreds of public housing residents …
How Economics is Pushing Some Black Celebrities to Take Refuge in the MAGA Movement

How Economics is Pushing Some Black Celebrities to Take Refuge in the MAGA Movement

A growing number of Black celebrities are aligning themselves with the MAGA movement, but it’s more about economics and staying relevant than politics …
Folks Online Are Losing Their Minds Seeing Blue Ivy and Tina Knowles At The New Cécred Launch

Folks Online Are Losing Their Minds Seeing Blue Ivy and Tina Knowles At The New Cécred Launch

Fans online are going crazy after seeing Blue Ivy at Cécred’s latest launch event …
K. Michelle Makes Shocking Revelation About Her Relationship With R. Kelly

K. Michelle Makes Shocking Revelation About Her Relationship With R. Kelly

K. Michelle is sharing new details about the nature of her relationship with disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly, and what she has to say might surprise you! …
Could Trump Be Removed Under the 25th Amendment?  5 Things You Should Know

Could Trump Be Removed Under the 25th Amendment? 5 Things You Should Know

With questions swirling about President Trump’s recent behavior, people are wondering if the 25th Amendment could play a role in addressing concerns about presidential fitness and stability …
Lil' Rel Reacts to Katt Williams Calling Him Out in Netflix Special, His Clapback Has Fans Crying

Lil’ Rel Reacts to Katt Williams Calling Him Out in Netflix Special, His Clapback Has Fans Crying

Lil’ Rel addresses being called out in Katt Williams’ ‘The Last Report’ comedy special and delivers a hilarious, viral clapback on stage …
Why Marvin Sapp's New Wife's Comments About Their Wedding Are Sparking Internet Backlash

Why Marvin Sapp’s New Wife’s Comments About Their Wedding Are Sparking Internet Backlash

While gospel singer Marvin Sapp may be in good spirits about his recent marriage, folks online aren’t feeling the love, thanks to his new wife’s latest comments! …
Professor: Black Man, Before You Sip That White Wine in Public, Know You Annoy Us

Professor: Black Man, Before You Sip That White Wine in Public, Know You Annoy Us

This Black professor has sparked a spirited debate with a theory about a specific—and, in his view, irritating —social phenomenon: the Black man who exclusively or prominently opts for white wine …
These Black Leaders Call for Trump’s Removal Amid US-Iran Ceasefire Backlash

These Black Leaders Call for Trump’s Removal Amid US-Iran Ceasefire Backlash

Black political leaders are responding to Trump’s abrupt Iran ceasefire with sharp criticism and urgent calls for his removal, including invoking the 25th Amendment …
New Development in Gucci Mane, Pooh Shiesty Kidnapping Case

New Development in Gucci Mane, Pooh Shiesty Kidnapping Case

Lawyers for Pooh Shiesty and the other alleged suspects in the Gucci Mane kidnapping and robbery are now speaking out about what transpired right before the rapper’s arrest …
Shannon Sharpe’s “18 and Out” Rule Sparks Heated Debate: Tough Love or Unrealistic Standard?

Shannon Sharpe’s “18 and Out” Rule Sparks Heated Debate: Tough Love or Unrealistic Standard?

While Shannon Sharpe said kids should be out 30 days after turning 18, folks feel rising costs and financial pressures make this tough-love approach unrealistic—and a recipe for disaster …
Tokyo Toni's Shocking Statement That Brought the FBI to Her Door

Tokyo Toni’s Shocking Statement That Brought the FBI to Her Door

A viral video captures the moment federal agents confront Tokyo Toni over alarming comments about Blac Chyna, adding another layer to their ongoing family drama …