The Real Background Of The Alleged New Orleans Killer, A Group of New Jersey Cops Sent N-Word-Filled Text Messages, Black New York Inmate Dies After Being Beaten By Corrections Officers, What Happened After North Carolina Woman Mistook Nail Glue For Eye Drops And More

The Root’s most powerful news stories from the last seven days.

Folks Are Calling the Alleged New Orleans Killer a ‘Terrorist,’ But His Background Will Surprise You

Screenshot: FBI

On New Year’s Day, 15 people were killed and 30 were injured after a vehicle drove into a crowd celebrating 2025 in the French Quarter. The cops have their suspect who has since been described as a “terrorist.” However, his profile describes him as quite the opposite. – Kalyn Womack Read More

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
MAGA Loses It Over Powerful Statue of a Black Woman in Times Square

A Whole Group of New Jersey Cops Sent Racist, N-Word-Filled Text Messages. Their Consequences are Infuriating.

Photo: Monmouth County

An officer in Monmouth County, N.J. has been fired after it was revealed he sent racist slurs in text messages to other police officers. The group wasn’t being investigated for racist behavior. The texts surprisingly came to light after a police-involved crash crash exposed cell phone data. – Candace McDuffie Read More

A Black New York Inmate Dies After Being Beaten By Corrections Officers in What Politician Calls a ‘Modern Day Lynching’

Photo: Office of the New York State Attorney General

Just weeks before Christmas, a Black inmate at a New York prison was allegedly beaten to death by a group of correctional officers. The footage of the incident was so horrid, even the police union called it “incomprehensible.” – Kalyn Womack Read More

A North Carolina Woman Mistakes Nail Glue for Eye Drops and…Ouch!

Screenshot: [{‘styles’: [], ‘value’: ‘TikTok’, ‘type’: ‘Text’}]

A medicine cabinet mixup just left a North Carolina woman hospitalized as doctors try to help her out of a painful situation.

The unidentified woman apparently mistook her nail glue for eye drops and accidentally glued her eyes shut.

In a post she captioned, “POV: your mom thought her nail glue was her eye drops,” Ria Faggart, the woman’s daughter, shared video footage of her mother lying in a hospital bed. The video shows the woman blinking but unable to open her eyes as the sticky substance apparently has them sealed shut. – Angela Johnson Read More

Black Twitter Reacts to President Jimmy Carter’s Death at 100

Photo: Getty Images David Hume Kennerly

Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States of America and the longest-living American president, passed away at the age of 100 on Sunday.

Due to his age, it wasn’t necessarily a shock to many that Carter passed. But his death did garner some unique reactions from Black Twitter as users remembered one of the country’s most respected political figures. – Noah A. McGee Read More

Students Allegedly Asked This Black Utah Grad Student For An “N-Word Pass,” But Wait…There’s More

Photo: The Salt Lake Tribune

A former Utah student has filed a lawsuit against both the Davis School District and her former basketball coach for racial discrimination. According to ABC 4, Ebony Davis says that she experienced harassment on a regular basis, and even alleges that she was called the N-word while walking through the halls. – Candace McDuffie Read More

First A Nazi Rally, Now Even More Racism Found Throughout Ohio

Photo: WOIO

After a Nazi march that took place last month in Columbus, Ohio, disturbing racist signs are now popping up in Cleveland. The flyers, which promote white supremacist ideology, have been seen in the Tremont neighborhood as reported by local station WOIO. – Candace McDuffie Read More

Joe Budden Charged For Being Naked Outside of His Neighbor’s Home, But What Really Happened?

Photo: Getty Images Johnny Nunez/WireImage

Before celebrating the new year, former rapper and popular podcaster Joe Budden has found himself in some legal trouble.

On Monday, a statement by the Edgewater Police Department in New Jersey claimed that on the morning of December 4, officers responded to a call at an apartment complex claiming that Budden was naked outside of someone’s door. – Noah A. McGee Read More

The Root Remembers One of Our Own: Stephanie Holland

Staff Writer Stephanie Holland at the 2024 Primetime Emmys. Photo: Courtesy of Stephanie Holland’s family

Death is never an easy thing to deal with. But it’s especially tough when it involves a colleague here at The Root and someone who I personally considered as a friend: Stephanie Holland. According to her family, she passed away on Dec. 31. She was 47 years old. – Shanelle Genai Read More

The MAGA Faithful Pressured These Major Companies to Abolish DEI Programs in 2024…It Will Only Get Worse In 2025

Photo: Getty Images Michael Siluk

In 2024, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at several of the nation’s largest companies came undone as prominent figures like Elon Musk voiced their disapproval. And it looks like the trend of coming for the programs will continue in 2025. – Candace McDuffie Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

A List of Trump's Allies Who Are Turning Against Him

A List of Trump’s Allies Who Are Turning Against Him

Trump relied on far-right podcasters and close Republican politicians to win his second term, but now allies are forming against him …
13 Democratic Leaders on Their Plans to Restore the Country Once They Reclaim Power

13 Democratic Leaders on Their Plans to Restore the Country Once They Reclaim Power

From the front lines of justice to the heart of the working class, these 13 Democratic leaders are offering a blueprint to take the country back …
Why Gerrymandering Efforts From Both Parties Are Targeting Black Voting Districts

Why Gerrymandering Efforts From Both Parties Are Targeting Black Voting Districts

On the surface, redrawing the maps– although unprecedented– seems like a purely political scheme. In truth, however, redrawing urban district lines has already led to consequences for Black folks …
Floetry's Long Awaited Reunion Tour Has Fans Emotional

Floetry’s Long Awaited Reunion Tour Has Fans Emotional

Fans of Floetry got more than they paid for when the concert turned into an unexpected yet moving moment between the two lead singers! …
Top 10 2026 NFL Draft Picks You Should Know

Top 10 2026 NFL Draft Picks You Should Know

The 2026 NFL Draft is set to transform the “Steel City” of Pittsburgh into the epicenter of the football world as the city hosts the event for the first time since 1948. Scheduled for April 23–25 at the iconic Acrisure Stadium and the scenic Point State Park, this year’s event …
Tracee Ellis Ross Reacts to Vogue's 'Cloud Bob' Controversy

Tracee Ellis Ross Reacts to Vogue’s ‘Cloud Bob’ Controversy

After a Vogue photo that described the Afro as a “cloud bob” sparked outrage online, the subject of the now-viral pic has entered the chat …
Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for D4vd Following Discovery of Teen's Remains in Tesla

Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty for D4vd Following Discovery of Teen’s Remains in Tesla

Here’s more chilling details in the growing case against D4vd after being charged with the first degree murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas …
Why Black Women Face Higher Infertility Rates And What Real, Affordable Options Are Within Reach

Why Black Women Face Higher Infertility Rates And What Real, Affordable Options Are Within Reach

This National Infertility Awareness Week, The Root spoke with an expert who broke down early red flags, barriers to treatment and affordable options that can make a difference …
The Today Show's Sheinelle Jones Opens Up About Death of Husband

The Today Show’s Sheinelle Jones Opens Up About Death of Husband

TODAY Show cohost Sheinelle Jones is keeping it transparent when it comes to how she’s dealing with her first birthday since the death of her husband in May 2025 …
"I'm Sorry": Tucker Carlson Just Admitted to a Massive Regret

“I’m Sorry”: Tucker Carlson Just Admitted to a Massive Regret

After years of supporting and campaigning for President Trump, it seems commentator Tucker Carlson has some serious regrets …
6 Things You Won't See In The New Michael Jackson Movie

6 Things You Won’t See In The New Michael Jackson Movie

‘Michael’ arrives on April 24—but don’t expect these storylines to make the final cut! …
It's Time To Get Excited About Michael.

It’s Time To Get Excited About Michael.

We don’t get many films like this. That alone is reason to pay attention. And an even bigger reason to show up …
KevOnStage Says He Won't Use Faith as a Reason to Judge LGBTQ+ Community

KevOnStage Says He Won’t Use Faith as a Reason to Judge LGBTQ+ Community

Comedian KevOnStage recently opened up about his faith and how it intersects with the LGBTQ+ community. But some Christians aren’t feeling his words! …
Why More Women Are Turning to Cannabis For Relief

Why More Women Are Turning to Cannabis For Relief

From managing chronic pain to navigating menopause, women are turning to cannabis at record rates. But as acceptance grows, so does the need for caution …
In This 'Red Pill Era,' One Black Man Is Becoming the Positive Role Model Every Young Boy Needs

In This ‘Red Pill Era,’ One Black Man Is Becoming the Positive Role Model Every Young Boy Needs

In an era where many young men are influenced by the red pill content they see online, one Black man is stepping up for his community and teaching Black boys how to be men …
Fans Are Obsessed With Blue Ivy's New Bodyguard

Fans Are Obsessed With Blue Ivy’s New Bodyguard

A viral clip of Blue Ivy’s security detail has sparked comparisons to Beyoncé’s longtime bodyguard “Julius,” igniting a new wave of buzz across social media …
Rochester Family Cremates Missing Woman After Being Told She Was Dead, Only to Learn That She's Really Alive

Rochester Family Cremates Missing Woman After Being Told She Was Dead, Only to Learn That She’s Really Alive

A Rochester, New York, family is now suing after they say police told them their missing daughter died, when she was really alive in another state …
Ex-Alabama Football Player Allegedly Used Wigs and Durags in Sophisticated Scheme to Defraud NFL Stars

Ex-Alabama Football Player Allegedly Used Wigs and Durags in Sophisticated Scheme to Defraud NFL Stars

Federal authorities allege that Luther Davis and CJ Evins committed wire fraud that targeted several NFL players …
'The Blind Side' Actor Quinton Aaron Addresses Fake Wife Scandal In New Interview

‘The Blind Side’ Actor Quinton Aaron Addresses Fake Wife Scandal In New Interview

Quinton Aaron’s road to recovery has been overshadowed by the drama surrounding his ‘wife.’ And now, he’s speaking up about it for the first time …
Junelle Lyles Defends Husband Noah Lyles From Online Outrage to His 'First Look' Reaction

Junelle Lyles Defends Husband Noah Lyles From Online Outrage to His ‘First Look’ Reaction

Olympian Junelle Lyles is standing up for her new husband after a viral video seemingly painted him in a negative light. But folks online aren’t open to hearing it! …