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

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Nicholas Duvernay Talks ‘White Lotus’ Season 3, Working with Natasha Rothwell

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

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Ryan Coogler and Other Black Celebs With Fly Cornrows

Ryan Coogler and Other Black Celebs With Fly Cornrows

Ryan Coogler’s braids at the Oscars are rightfully calling attention to other stars who’ve rocked similar styles over the years. Let’s take a look! …
Best 'Square Up' Challenge Videos on TikTok in 2026

Best ‘Square Up’ Challenge Videos on TikTok in 2026

From Black suburban kids making squares with their arms to white co-workers throwing elbows, TikTok’s #SquareUp challenge has the internet crying with laughter! …
Jasmine Crockett Speaks On Her Former Security Guard Killed by Dallas SWAT

Jasmine Crockett Speaks On Her Former Security Guard Killed by Dallas SWAT

Under the alias “Mike King,” one Black man landed a job working for Texas Rep. Crockett before being killed in a standoff with police …
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 purposefully ditch their partners on hikes to break up …
MacKenzie Scott Makes Major Donation to Small NC HBCU

MacKenzie Scott Makes Major Donation to Small NC HBCU

School Chancellor S. Keith Hargrove Sr. announced that MacKenzie Scott has donated $42 million to Elizabeth City State University …
Is Trump Mocking People With Disabilities His Lowest Blow?

Is Trump Mocking People With Disabilities His Lowest Blow?

Adding to Trump’s history of offending people with disabilities, the president took aim at Gov. Newsom, who has dyslexia …
Story Behind Michael B. Jordan's Viral In-N-Out Stop

Story Behind Michael B. Jordan’s Viral In-N-Out Stop

From the red carpet to red, white and yellow burger chain, Jordan’s humble stop celebrated celebrity accessibility and Hollywood tradition in all the right ways …
New Study Reveals RFK Jr's Health Policies Are a Danger for Black Americans

New Study Reveals RFK Jr’s Health Policies Are a Danger for Black Americans

An analysis from Protect Our Care and American Public Health Association found RFK Jr.’s “crusade against vaccines” especially harmful for Black Americans …
5 Black Women Dominating College Basketball’s NIL Earnings

5 Black Women Dominating College Basketball’s NIL Earnings

These Black women are putting up numbers on the court and off the court in the business world …
Woman From Coldplay CEO Scandal Reveals Shocking Fact to Oprah About Viral Moment

Woman From Coldplay CEO Scandal Reveals Shocking Fact to Oprah About Viral Moment

Kristin Cabot, the woman at the center of the infamous July 2025 CEO Scandal at a Coldplay concert, is opening up to Oprah and sharing new details! …
Black America is Trying to Decode Obama's Cryptic X Post About “Unfinished Business”

Black America is Trying to Decode Obama’s Cryptic X Post About “Unfinished Business”

After Obama posts cryptic message online, Black folks are divided on what this means for the future of the country …
Experts: Why Black America Needs to Embrace Bankruptcy To Protect and Grow Wealth

Experts: Why Black America Needs to Embrace Bankruptcy To Protect and Grow Wealth

Slutty Vegan founder Pinky Cole broke the internet— and bankruptcy stigma. Discover how Chapters 7, 11 and 13 can protect Black wealth without shame …
Rihanna Home Shooting Suspect Did This Wild Thing Just Months Before Committing Crime

Rihanna Home Shooting Suspect Did This Wild Thing Just Months Before Committing Crime

More information about the woman charged with shooting at Rihanna’s home have been released and it’s truly disturbing! …
Jack Harlow Said He Got 'Blacker' and the Internet Is Outraged

Jack Harlow Said He Got ‘Blacker’ and the Internet Is Outraged

Rapper Jack Harlow is causing a stir online with his latest admission, and some folks aren’t feeling what he’s sharing! Let’s get into it …
Zendaya Crashes A Las Vegas Wedding —and the Internet Can’t Stop Talking

Zendaya Crashes A Las Vegas Wedding —and the Internet Can’t Stop Talking

The Euphoria star shocked guests at a one-day Las Vegas pop-up chapel, unexpectedly crashing a couple’s wedding ceremony …
7 Estate Planning Steps to Take Now So Your Loved Ones Aren't Left Guessing

7 Estate Planning Steps to Take Now So Your Loved Ones Aren’t Left Guessing

Estate planning isn’t only for the wealthy or elderly. We spoke with a professional to highlight practical steps anyone can take today to protect their legacy and loved ones …
Why Things Got Tense for Teyana Taylor On the 2026 Oscars Red Carpet

Why Things Got Tense for Teyana Taylor On the 2026 Oscars Red Carpet

Teyana Taylor losing Best Supporting Actress apparently wasn’t her only upset at the 2026 Oscars as seen in this testy, viral moment! …
6 Years After Breonna Taylor's Killing, Trump Admin Quietly Gets Rid of Law That Could Have Saved Her Life

6 Years After Breonna Taylor’s Killing, Trump Admin Quietly Gets Rid of Law That Could Have Saved Her Life

Days before the anniversary of Breonna Taylor’s death, the Trump administration quietly reversed legislation which might have saved her life …
Oscars 2026 Best and Worst Black Moments: Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan and More

Oscars 2026 Best and Worst Black Moments: Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan and More

While ‘Sinners’ didn’t exactly sweep the awards on Sunday, the film still walked away with some major wins at the 2026 Oscars. Let’s get into it! …
Haitian Immigrant Woman Found Dead at Bus Stop Days After Release From ICE. Now, Her Family Demands Justice

Haitian Immigrant Woman Found Dead at Bus Stop Days After Release From ICE. Now, Her Family Demands Justice

The family of a Haitian immigrant, who came to the U.S. to seek asylum, seeks answers after she was found dead at a bus stop days after her release from ICE …