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
Marvin Sapp Turns Viral Controversy Into A Song — But Not Everyone’s Praising Him

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

'Sinners' Cast: Where Are They Now

‘Sinners’ Cast: Where Are They Now

As Ryan Coogler’s vampire epic ‘Sinners’ continues to make history during the 2026 Awards season, let’s take a look at the next major moves for Michael B. Jordan and the cast! …
All the Reagan-Era Policies Americans Are Still Paying for Today

All the Reagan-Era Policies Americans Are Still Paying for Today

Sure, Ronald Reagan was loved by conservatives, but many of the country’s modern-day problems can be traced back to his administration …
Why This New York Mom Was Forced to Deliver Her Own Baby Alone in a Hospital Bathroom

Why This New York Mom Was Forced to Deliver Her Own Baby Alone in a Hospital Bathroom

Long Island parents are demanding a hospital to take accountability after they delivered their newborn on-site…but in a bathroom …
DMX's Son Shares 'Spiritual' Moment With His Father As He Transitioned

DMX’s Son Shares ‘Spiritual’ Moment With His Father As He Transitioned

DMX’s son Xavier Simmons is opening up about a truly unbelievable moment he shared with his father as he transitioned …
The State of the Union Address Was <i>Not</i> Supposed to Look As It Does Today

The State of the Union Address Was Not Supposed to Look As It Does Today

Which president gave a 10-minute State of the Union address? Which U.S. president came up with the name? What do Obama and Trump’s speeches have in common? …
7 Times Black Folks Almost Became U.S. President

7 Times Black Folks Almost Became U.S. President

Jesse Jackson, Charlene Mitchell and other Black Americans who ran for president …
Gabourey Sidibe's Husband Has Shocking Health Scare

Gabourey Sidibe’s Husband Has Shocking Health Scare

‘Precious’ star Gabourey Sidibe’s husband is facing a startling health challenge and is now sharing where he stands now with fans …
Black Woman Explains Why She Only Dates AI

Black Woman Explains Why She Only Dates AI

A 34-year-old Black woman told a CBS News correspondent that a chatbot has given her the same satisfaction as a relationship with a human being, but eliminates the risk …
White NYC College Professor Makes Racist Comments on Work Zoom When She Thought She Was on Mute

White NYC College Professor Makes Racist Comments on Work Zoom When She Thought She Was on Mute

Allyson Friedman has identified herself as the college professor caught spewing racist language during a virtual council meeting …
So The Shrinking White Baby Data is Why The World Turned Upside Down?

So The Shrinking White Baby Data is Why The World Turned Upside Down?

OPINION: As census data signals a shrinking white majority, the politics of panic move from whisper campaigns to policy …
Why Black People Have a Right to Be Outraged at the 2026 BAFTA Controversy

Why Black People Have a Right to Be Outraged at the 2026 BAFTA Controversy

After the racist remark was heard around the world at the 2026 BAFTAs, why are Black people being asked to give more grace than they are the room to be upset? …
Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo Subjected to Racial Slur at 2026 BAFTAs, But the Story Is Much Layered Than You Think

Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo Subjected to Racial Slur at 2026 BAFTAs, But the Story Is Much Layered Than You Think

Sinners stars Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo experienced a shocking moment at the 2026 BAFTAs. But there’s way more to the story …
Why Rappers Are Entering The Political Arena

Why Rappers Are Entering The Political Arena

Will we see more rappers becoming politicians after Uncle Luke announced he is running for a seat in Congress? …
On the 100th Anniversary of Black History Month, We've Come So Far -- Yet Still Have So Far to Go

On the 100th Anniversary of Black History Month, We’ve Come So Far — Yet Still Have So Far to Go

OPINION: When Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week in 1926, he likely wouldn’t have imagined we’d still be celebrating his legacy a century later …
What Really Led a Texas Judge to Rule In Favor of a White Teen Accused of Forcing A Black Kid to Drink Urine

What Really Led a Texas Judge to Rule In Favor of a White Teen Accused of Forcing A Black Kid to Drink Urine

Asher Vann was sued in 2023 after he was accused of forcing a Black kid to drink urine and shooting him with a BB gun …
He Became a TikTok Joke —But Maybe It's Time to Stop Laughing Because His Story is Better Than You Can Imagine

He Became a TikTok Joke —But Maybe It’s Time to Stop Laughing Because His Story is Better Than You Can Imagine

Michael Seals– once a professional boxer– is taking the internet by storm, but how well do you know him? …
America's Birth Rate Is Shifting Toward a Minority Majority  and Now Things Are Starting to Make Sense

America’s Birth Rate Is Shifting Toward a Minority Majority and Now Things Are Starting to Make Sense

White births have fallen below 50 percent for the first time in U.S. history. The milestone comes with a striking irony as the Trump administration’s policies target the women who are driving the nation’s growth …
How Trump Now Targeting Cuba Can Be More Detrimental than You Think

How Trump Now Targeting Cuba Can Be More Detrimental than You Think

The Trump administration has shut off oil flow to Cuba in an attempt to put pressure on the communist country to make some significant political changes …
Exclusive: The Honey Pot Co. CEO Beatrice Dixon Shares Her Ancestral Recipe for Empire Building in New Memoir

Exclusive: The Honey Pot Co. CEO Beatrice Dixon Shares Her Ancestral Recipe for Empire Building in New Memoir

The Root spoke with The Honey Pot CEO Beatrice Dixon about her inspiring new memoir …
Rapper Lil Jon Break Silence After His Son's Tragic Death

Rapper Lil Jon Break Silence After His Son’s Tragic Death

Lil Jon spoke out earlier this month about the death of his son and now he’s sharing his reflections and an update with his fans …