Ohio Karen Questions Black Man’s Home, Stephen A. Smith Goes Off On Critics Of Rappers Who Performed At Trump’s Inauguration, Remains Of Missing Maryland Woman Finally Found, Racist KKK Flyers Discovered In Kentucky And More

A collection of the most important news stories from the week.

Ohio Karen Claims She ‘Didn’t Believe’ This Black Man Lived in His Home … Now She Is Scared for Her Life

Screenshot: Facebook, Instagram

The victim of a viral Karen meltdown finally shared his story, and it’s even uglier than it seemed. Turns out the whole thing was a simple misunderstanding but you know, Karens absolutely have to take it there. – Kalyn Womack Read More

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Walter Davis On Building a Black-Owned Bank From Zero to $2 billion

Stephen A. Smith Goes Off On People Who Criticized Rappers For Performing at Trump’s Inauguration

Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffin

Fans are not letting the rappers who performed for President Trump at his inauguration hear the end of it. Artists such as Nelly, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, and Soulja Boy have faced a barrage of criticism from the internet, but Stephen A. Smith is here to defend them. – Noah A. McGee Read More

Where The Missing Maryland Woman’s Remains Were Finally Discovered… Will Shock You!

Photo: Metropolitan Police Department, Prince George’s County Police Department

Authorities in Capitol Heights, Maryland have concluded the search for a woman who had been missing for the past week. We don’t know what’s more disturbing: the discovery of her remains, or where they were found. – Kalyn Womack Read More

Plot Twist: Black Nashville High School Shooter Had A Black-Hate Leaning—And More

17-year-old Solomon Henderson killed one Antioch High School student and injured another before shooting and killing himself. Photo: Facebook, @MNPDNashville on X

The Nashville community of Antioch High School is in mourning after a student shot and killed Josselin Corea Escalante, 16, before turning the gun on himself. – Phenix S Halley Read More

Viral Inauguration Pastor Takes Moment after Prayer to Hype His …What??!

Photo: Getty Images Chip Somodevilla

The Detroit-based pastor folks accused of doing a bunch of hootin’ and hollerin’ during the inaugural prayer this week posted a message following the event to his supporters. He wasn’t exactly asking for tithes and offerings but he did ask for support for his surprising new financial venture. – Kalyn Womack Read More

Racist KKK Flyers In Kentucky Police Tell Immigrants To ‘Leave Now’

Image: WKRC

Law enforcement officials in Kentucky are now looking into disturbing Ku Klux Klan flyers instructing immigrants to “leave now” and “avoid deportation.” They were discovered in Fort Wright, Ludlow and Fort Mitchell, The Hill reported. – Candace McDuffie Read More

Lamar Odom Makes Explosive Claim About His 2015 Overdose That Nearly Killed Him

Photo: Getty Images Rodin Eckenroth/FilmMagic

Even though Lamar Odom admits that he struggled with an addiction to drugs in the past, he claims he didn’t knowingly do any the night he overdosed in 2015. Instead, he thinks someone slipped something into his drink. – Noah A. McGee Read More

This Man Killed His Own Child While FaceTiming The Baby’s Mother

Screenshot: KHOU, Facebook

A Houston man was convicted by a jury in the murder of his 2-year-old baby girl. Authorities say the horrifying scene unfolded within 45 minutes and featured a heartbreaking witness. – Kalyn Womack Read More

Black Woman’s Four Years of Captivity Was So Scary It Was Made Into a Lifetime Movie

Screenshot: WKYC

Decades ago, a Black woman with a seemingly perfect life, husband and children had her entire world flipped upside down by one dangerous man. It took years for her to escape his captivity. Now, she’s ready to spill the grisly details of what happened to her. – Kalyn Womack Read More

Octavia Butler’s 1993 Novel Predicted The LA Fires …And Trump

The burnt remains of a building where once stood a hardware store are seen in Altadena, California on January 15, 2025. The historic community of Altadena, on the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, has been left in ashes and rubble though some homes remain standing. Powerful winds forecast for Wednesday threatened to whip up massive fires still burning around Los Angeles, possibly worsening an inferno that has killed at least 25 people. Photo: Getty Images FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP

Considered one of the first Black female science fiction writers, Octavia Butler’s body of work could be described as made-up, dystopian tales of an alternate universe. You know, on some “War of the Worlds,” “Dune,” “Starship Troopers” type of stuff. But if you’ve ever read her 1993 novel “Parable of the Sower,” you might think the book is rooted in a lot more fact than fiction and that the Pasadena native, who passed away in 2006, knew something the rest of us didn’t. – Angela Johnson Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

A Peek At 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Mansion That's Now Up for Sale!

A Peek At ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ Mansion That’s Now Up for Sale!

The famous house from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” is now on the market. Let’s get into the coolness of the iconic mansion! …
Here's All You Need to Know About Why Our HBCUs Are So Beloved

Here’s All You Need to Know About Why Our HBCUs Are So Beloved

As concerns that Black youth aren’t exposed to HBCUs fester, here’s even more interesting facts about Black colleges that you probably didn’t know …
Florida Venue Allegedly Keeps Bride's $7,600 Wedding Deposit After Her Fiancé Dies, You Won't Believe Their Response

Florida Venue Allegedly Keeps Bride’s $7,600 Wedding Deposit After Her Fiancé Dies, You Won’t Believe Their Response

After Tye Hinson’s wedding dreams came to a tragic end, the venue’s response to her refund request sparked a viral debate …
Georgia Man Goes on a Full-Blown Racist Tirade, Messes Around and Finds Out

Georgia Man Goes on a Full-Blown Racist Tirade, Messes Around and Finds Out

Robert Burke was seen in the video screaming the “N-word” at a security guard and claiming free speech …
Zoe Saldaña Breaks Her Silence on Becoming the Highest-Grossing Actress of All Time...and Here's How She Did It

Zoe Saldaña Breaks Her Silence on Becoming the Highest-Grossing Actress of All Time…and Here’s How She Did It

Zoe Saldaña is now the most successful actor of all time. And now she’s finally responding to her new milestone! …
The <i>Real</i> Reason Those Bruno Mars Tickets Are So Damn Expensive

The Real Reason Those Bruno Mars Tickets Are So Damn Expensive

Fans were left in shock after seeing the prices for Bruno Mars’ tour and were left wondering why concerts are so expensive now. Here’s why! …
Dr. King's Favorite Pastime and More Little Known Facts on MLK Day

Dr. King’s Favorite Pastime and More Little Known Facts on MLK Day

On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, take a closer look at little known facts about the life and legacy of one of the most famous men in history …
Sade's Most Timeless Songs in Celebration of Her Birthday!

Sade’s Most Timeless Songs in Celebration of Her Birthday!

Sade’s music has maintained its potency decades after she burst onto the scene. This playlist delivers hits and sleepers that are definitely a vibe …
Olandria's Recent Red Carpet Slayings Prove She's Here to Stay!

Olandria’s Recent Red Carpet Slayings Prove She’s Here to Stay!

Olandria Carthen may have gained fame from ‘Love Island,’ but she’s clearly here to stay for a long time. Let’s talk about it! …
We Now Know the Shocking Truth of How Much Training ICE Agents Really Go Through

We Now Know the Shocking Truth of How Much Training ICE Agents Really Go Through

After an 120 percent ICE manpower increase, a new report revealed hundreds of agents were never properly trained …
Shannon Sharpe's New Look Has Black Women Feeling Some Type of Way

Shannon Sharpe’s New Look Has Black Women Feeling Some Type of Way

Shannon Sharpe has got the social media streets abuzz once again, but this time it’s for something positive. And boy, do women have some thoughts …
The Worst Examples of Black Women Celebs Being Publicly Mistreated

The Worst Examples of Black Women Celebs Being Publicly Mistreated

Black women have been unfairly talked about from everything from their hair to their financial status. Let’s take a look back at some of the worst moments! …
Why an Empathetic Black Reporter Sparked Backlash in Sports Media

Why an Empathetic Black Reporter Sparked Backlash in Sports Media

Recent interviews reveal double standard in how Black journalists are treated versus their white peers …
Wisconsin GOP Confuses 2 Black Democratic Candidates in Attack Ad -- and Catch Hell Over It

Wisconsin GOP Confuses 2 Black Democratic Candidates in Attack Ad — and Catch Hell Over It

Democrats– and social media users– are dragging Wisconsin Republicans after they confused the only two Black men running for governor …
Bernice King Calls On Black Church to Lead Ahead of MLK Day

Bernice King Calls On Black Church to Lead Ahead of MLK Day

EXCLUSIVE: Dr. Bernice King has never shied away from her father’s legacy. Now, decades after MLK’s death, she’s calling on the Black Church to pick up the slack …
Brian Austin Green Responds to Tichina Arnold Dating Reveal With a Heartbreaking Revelation

Brian Austin Green Responds to Tichina Arnold Dating Reveal With a Heartbreaking Revelation

Just two weeks after Tichina Arnold revealed she dated “Beverly Hills, 90210” star Brian Austin Green, the ’90’s heartthrob is now sharing his side of the story …
Oprah Winfrey Recalls When Joan Rivers Fat-Shamed Her

Oprah Winfrey Recalls When Joan Rivers Fat-Shamed Her

Oprah Winfrey’s weight has been a hot topic in pop culture for decades and now she’s reflecting on a truly uncomfortable moment …
All About Nene Leakes Long-Awaited Return

All About Nene Leakes Long-Awaited Return

Nene Leakes in finally heading back to Bravo! And now, the ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ alum is sharing her feelings about it …
Jill Scott Explains Why She 'Hated' This Memorable Scene in Tyler Perry's 'Why Did I Get Married?'

Jill Scott Explains Why She ‘Hated’ This Memorable Scene in Tyler Perry’s ‘Why Did I Get Married?’

While many fans may have loved Jill Scott in ‘Why Did I Get Married,’ the talented singer doesn’t have too many fond memories of certain filming days …
A$AP Rocky Says His Mama Knew This About Rihanna ...

A$AP Rocky Says His Mama Knew This About Rihanna …

A$AP Rocky reflects on how Rihanna changed his life, and revealed that his mother knew she was the one years before he did …