YouTuber Gets Accused Of Kidnapping Two Women, 12-Year-Old Georgia Boy Hospitalized After ‘Prank’ Goes Wrong, Airline Karen Calls Black Employee The N-Word, LA Mayor Karen Bass Gets Dragged To Hell And More

The Root’s best and important news posts from the week.

YouTuber With Millions of Followers Allegedly Fled the U.S. After Kidnapping Two Women With This Chilling Threat

Since before Thanksgiving, authorities have been searching for a Houston-based YouTuber who has fled the country to “start a new life” in Dubai. The crimes he’s wanted for could give him a new life behind bars if he’s caught and convicted. – Kalyn Womack Read More

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Dominique Thorne Reveals Why She Almost Passed on Ironheart

12-Year-Old Georgia Boy Hospitalized After ‘Prank’ Goes Horribly Wrong

Photo: WALB News 10

A 12-year-old boy from Georgia has suffered second degree burns on his face after three of his friends poured boiling water on him. The group responsible, ages 12-15, insisted it was supposed to be a prank — but they may now be in some serious trouble. – Candace McDuffie Read More

WATCH: Another Airline Karen Calls Black Employee N-Word After Being Told Bag Was Too Heavy

Screenshot: YouTube

Another day, another Karen decides to lose her mind at an airport. On Sunday (Jan. 5), a Southwest Airlines passenger was caught on camera for insulting workers using a racist slur after she was told her bag was too heavy. – Candace McDuffie Read More

California Man Went into Store for a Hot Dog, But This Happened Instead

Screenshot: FOX 11 News

Imagine going into a food mart to grab a pack of hot links and getting ambushed with a slew of knuckle sandwiches by the cops. Well, the family of a Black California man claim this is what happened to him and the footage of the incident is even more brutal. – Kalyn Womack Read More

Nurse Charged With Breaking Bones Of Several Newborn Babies, Including at Least One Black Child, at a Virginia Hospital

Photo: Henrico County Sheriff’s Office

A Virginia woman has been charged with child abuse after being connected to jarring injuries a newborn suffered in a neonatal intensive care unit in a hospital where she worked as a nurse. But the full story sounds much more ominous. – Candace McDuffie Read More

As LA Wildfires Burn, Critics Are Dragging Black Mayor Karen Bass To Hell For for This Reason

Los Angels Mayor Karen Bass Photo: Getty Images Rodin Eckenroth

Los Angeles is in crisis as deadly wildfires have torn through the area and forced thousands of people to leave their homes. But while residents are doing their best to deal with the impact of the devastating fires intensified by the Santa Ana winds, some critics are putting the blame squarely at the feet of Karen Bass, the city’s mayor. – Angela Johnson Read More

WATCH: Ice T Has a Heated Encounter with New Jersey Police…Which Leads to More Heated Encounters on Social Media

Photo: Getty Images Kristina Bumphrey/Variety

Rapper Ice T is having to answer for footage originally taken more than eight months ago that was just leaked for the first time over the weekend.

The video released over the weekend shows the “Law & Order: SVU” actor being pulled over by a New Jersey police officer for expired tags. He is heard saying, “I’m going to the DMV to get my registration and everything straight on this car.” – Noah A. McGee Read More

What Happened to Those Black Children in the ‘Dozier School for Boys’ Was Horrific and Now The Victims Want Someone To Pay

A Dozier School for Boys building known as the ‘white house’ where students were taken to be hit by teachers. Photo: WTSP.com

Hundreds of Black men who say they were physically or sexually abused at two state-run reform schools during the height of Jim Crow in the 1960s are applying for restitution from the state. – Candace McDuffie Read More

Jemele Claps Back at Antonio Brown After He Insults Her Over Fox Sports Lawsuit

Photo: Getty Images Michael Kovac/Getty Images for STARZ // Cindy Ord

A former Fox Sports hairstylist who filed a lawsuit against several employees at the company has been all the talk on social media for the last couple of days, leading to former NFL player Antonio Brown chiming in on the subject. – Noah A. McGee Read More

Black Woman Claimed She Was Tossed From American Airlines Flight After White Man Said She Was Racist

Screenshot: TikTok

A Black woman has stated that she was tossed from her first class fight after a white passenger accused her of racism. The woman, only identified as Erica, shared what happened in a series of several TikTok videos. – Candace McDuffie Read More

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Five Famous Black Ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Five Famous Black Ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

118 years after the organization was founded, we’re honoring some of the famous members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc …
The Most Dramatic Political Image Rebranding in History

The Most Dramatic Political Image Rebranding in History

From Ronald Reagan to Clarence Thomas, these political leaders go down as the most memorable rebrands in political history …
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 …
New Report Reveals US Lost More Immigrants Than it Gained 1 Year Under Trump

New Report Reveals US Lost More Immigrants Than it Gained 1 Year Under Trump

For the first time in half a century, the U.S. experienced negative net migration under President Trump. Here’s what that means …
This Red State’s Only Predominantly Black Institution Is Set to Close Amid Financial Troubles

This Red State’s Only Predominantly Black Institution Is Set to Close Amid Financial Troubles

Just one year after Republican Gov. Mike Braun left Martin University out of the 2025–27 funding budget, the state’s only PBI is now facing permanent closure …
Dallas ICE Prosecutor Returns to Work After Racist Social Media Account Was Exposed

Dallas ICE Prosecutor Returns to Work After Racist Social Media Account Was Exposed

Last year, Congress called for the resignation of an ICE prosecutor after his anti-Black, antisemitic and anti-immigration tweets were exposed. But now he’s headed back to work …
4 Powerful Things to Do on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026

4 Powerful Things to Do on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026

MLK Day isn’t just a federal holiday that gets you a free day from work, but a call to action. Here’s four ways you can celebrate the day— before the brunches …
Teyana Taylor Solves Mystery Behind That Viral Clip of Leonardo DiCaprio at Golden Globes—Kind Of

Teyana Taylor Solves Mystery Behind That Viral Clip of Leonardo DiCaprio at Golden Globes—Kind Of

Teyana Taylor is speaking out following her ‘One Battle After Another’ costar Leonardo DiCaprio’s viral Golden Globes moment. But it’s not what we expected! …
Inside MLK’s Childhood Home in Honor of the Civil Rights Icon’s 97th Birthday

Inside MLK’s Childhood Home in Honor of the Civil Rights Icon’s 97th Birthday

We’re taking a look inside MLK’s childhood home to honor his birthday! …
New Update in Paris Jackson's Legal Battle With Michael Jackson's Estate

New Update in Paris Jackson’s Legal Battle With Michael Jackson’s Estate

Paris Jackson has been embroiled in a legal battle with her father’s estate for years. And it doesn’t look like things are about to let up any time soon! …
Photo: Getty Images Evening Standard

MLK’s Real Name and More Unknown Facts on his Birthday

To honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday on Jan. 15, take a closer look at the life of one of the most famous men in history …
Is Martial Law Headed to Minneapolis? Gov. Tim Walz, Trump Have Frightening Thoughts

Is Martial Law Headed to Minneapolis? Gov. Tim Walz, Trump Have Frightening Thoughts

One week after the shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis, Trump warned residents to obey ICE or face the Insurrection Act …
How Trolling on Elon Musk's X Social Media Platform Is Harming Black Folks

How Trolling on Elon Musk’s X Social Media Platform Is Harming Black Folks

Last week we told you that Elon Musk endorsed a White nationalist post on his platform X, but there are many more controversial posts that should concern you …
Are Americans Really Living in a Police State?

Are Americans Really Living in a Police State?

Trump’s ICE occupation marks a dangerous time in America history as the threat of a police state weighs on everyone’s mind …
Watch: A White Priest Was Detained by ICE. What He Claims Agents Told Him Should <i>Terrify</i> Black Folks

Watch: A White Priest Was Detained by ICE. What He Claims Agents Told Him Should Terrify Black Folks

Minneapolis pastor Kenny Callaghan alleges an ICE agent told him, “You’re white and you wouldn’t be any fun anyway,” after he was detained while protesting …
Everything That Led to Troubled Morris Brown College Firing President

Everything That Led to Troubled Morris Brown College Firing President

Dr. Kevin E. James is credited with bringing Morris Brown College back to life after 20 years without accreditation. Now, he’s been terminated with practically no explanation …
EXCLUSIVE: Sir Idris Elba on Tense Filming Days for 'Hijack' Season Two and Overcoming Homelessness

EXCLUSIVE: Sir Idris Elba on Tense Filming Days for ‘Hijack’ Season Two and Overcoming Homelessness

Sir Idris Elba sat down with The Root to discuss the second season of his AppleTV show, ‘Hijack’ and reflected on his acting journey …