Deion Sanders has signed a contract extension with the University of Colorado that will keep him as head coach of the football team through 2029.
According to Brian Howell of the Boulder Daily Camera, the five-year deal will pay him $54 million, making the NFL Hall of Famer one of the highest-paid coaches in the country.
Elon Musk may be nearing the end of his time in Washington. The billionaire entrepreneur, who has played a prominent role in the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), recently hinted that his work there is coming to a close. President Donald Trump confirmed as much this week, telling reporters, “At some point, he’s going to be going back” to running his companies. Trump also suggested that DOGE itself may be on its way out, stating simply, “It will end.”
Musk’s political influence took a hit Tuesday when voters in Wisconsin rejected his preferred candidate for the state Supreme Court. Despite pouring over $21 million into the race and making a campaign appearance in the final days, Musk’s pick, Brad Schimel, lost to Susan Crawford, securing a liberal majority on the court. The defeat adds to a growing list of challenges for Musk, including troubles at Tesla, where sales dropped 13% in the first quarter of the year.
The White House has not given a clear timeline for shutting down DOGE, which was never meant to be a permanent fixture in Washington. Initially slated to operate until July 4, 2026, signs indicate that its wind-down is already underway. Employees have been reassigned to federal agencies expected to take over cost-cutting efforts, and government-wide layoffs have begun to align with DOGE’s objectives.
Last week, Trump hinted at a transition, stating, “We think probably over the next two or three months, we’ll be pretty much satisfied with the people that are working hard and want to be members of the administration.”
Musk’s aggressive cost-cutting measures and high-profile presence in Washington have made him a polarizing figure. DOGE was initially envisioned as an independent advisory panel, with Musk co-leading alongside biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. However, Ramaswamy left to run for Ohio governor, and DOGE became a government entity staffed by Musk allies. These operatives were tasked with canceling contracts, accessing sensitive data, and pushing for budget reductions.
As a special government employee, Musk is limited to working 130 days within a 365-day period. On March 27, he told Fox News’ Bret Baier, “I think we will have accomplished most of the work required to reduce the deficit by a trillion dollars within that time frame.” However, DOGE’s own calculations have been criticized as inflated and inaccurate, leaving its true impact in question.
Musk has not committed to an exit date, and it remains unclear how the administration is tracking his 130-day limit. By May 30, it will be 130 days since Trump’s inauguration, potentially signaling the end of Musk’s tenure. Still, Trump appears reluctant to let him go, telling reporters Monday, “I’d keep him as long as I could keep him” and calling him “a very talented guy.”
While Trump is known for abrupt breakups with top advisers, that hasn’t been the case with Musk. “I think he’s amazing, but I also think he’s got a big company to run,” Trump said. “And so, at some point, he’s going to be going back.”
When pressed on whether DOGE would continue without Musk, Trump gave a vague response, saying some DOGE personnel might remain in federal agencies. “But at a certain point, I think it will end,” he concluded.
Musk’s involvement in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race proved costly, both financially and politically. His preferred candidate lost, and Democrats capitalized on Musk’s declining popularity to energize voters. After the defeat, Musk took to X to downplay the loss, writing at 3:13 a.m., “I expected to lose, but there is value to losing a piece for a positional gain.”
With DOGE’s future uncertain and political setbacks mounting, Musk’s time in Washington may be drawing to a close. Whether his departure marks the end of his influence in politics remains to be seen.
Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey made history with a marathon speech on the Senate floor, speaking for 25 hours and 5 minutes. His protest, aimed at exposing the harm he believes President Donald Trump’s administration is causing, set a new record for the longest speech in modern Senate history.
Booker’s speech surpassed the previous record of 24 hours and 18 minutes set by the late Sen. Strom Thurmond in 1957. Unlike Thurmond, who spoke in opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1957, Booker framed his speech as a fight for justice and against the policies he says are harming everyday Americans.
Booker, 55, made it clear that his decision to speak at length was inspired by civil rights leaders, particularly the late Rep. John Lewis.
“Since I’ve gotten to the Senate, I always felt it was a strange shadow hanging over this institution—that the longest speech was given in opposition to civil rights,” Booker told CNN. “As someone who grew up with the legends of the Civil Rights Movement, it just seemed wrong to me.”
His speech began at 7 p.m. ET on a Monday night, armed with nothing but a Bible verse in his pocket and a promise to speak as long as he was “physically able.”
Though Booker’s speech effectively delayed legislative business in the Senate, it was not a filibuster, as he was not attempting to block a specific bill. Instead, it was a high-profile act of defiance, highlighting Democratic frustrations as the party struggles to counter Trump’s administration.
He decried a range of issues, including Elon Musk’s influence on federal agencies, threats to healthcare programs, and what he called a crisis in American democracy.
“In just 71 days, the president of the United States has inflicted so much harm on Americans’ safety, financial stability, and the core foundations of our democracy,” Booker declared.
A significant portion of Booker’s remarks focused on the potential for Medicaid cuts. He invoked the late Sen. John McCain, recalling his decisive 2017 vote that preserved key health protections.
“It is maddening in this country to create greater and greater health care crises and for us not to solve it,” Booker said. “Instead, we battle back and forth over tearing it down with no plan to make it better, leaving more Americans suffering.”
Booker’s speech was an endurance test. He dehydrated himself in the days leading up to it, leading to muscle cramps as the hours wore on. Despite this, he never yielded the floor, except briefly for a Senate prayer at noon and when answering questions from Democratic colleagues.
Sen. Chris Murphy, who previously delivered a 14-hour speech on gun control, stayed by Booker’s side throughout the night. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also voiced support, praising Booker’s commitment to shining a light on inequities that “hurt the middle class and poor people.”
Booker’s speech drew national attention, particularly on social media. He streamed the event live on TikTok, amassing over 350 million likes, and more than 110,000 people tuned in on YouTube.
“New respect for New Jersey,” one viewer commented during the livestream.
Democrats, facing a Republican-controlled Congress, have struggled to make headway against Trump’s policies. Booker’s dramatic speech, while symbolic, was seen by many as a rallying cry for more resistance.
Booker’s speech highlights a growing demand for Democratic lawmakers to take stronger action against Trump’s administration. While Republicans insist Medicaid and other key programs are not under threat, Booker and many supporters remain skeptical.
As the Senate moves forward, Booker’s record-breaking speech will likely be remembered not just for its length, but for its attempt to shake up the status quo in Washington.
Sammie “Mitchell” Ricker has been chosen as the new head football coach at Burbank High School. This will be his first time leading a varsity football team as head coach, though he’s been coaching since 2014.
Ricker spent last season as the defensive coordinator at Legacy of Educational Excellence (LEE) High School in San Antonio, where he helped lead the defense to its best season since 2017 in terms of points allowed. Before LEE, he served in the same role at Burbank during the 2023-2024 season, helping the Bulldogs reach the bi-district playoffs.
A graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio, Ricker is taking over a Burbank team that has made it to the state playoffs four times in the last seven years. That includes an 8-3 record last fall and the school’s first district title since 1978. He’s stepping in for Michael Mull, who left to become the defensive coordinator at Johnson High School.
“I am very excited,” said Ricker, a San Antonio native and MacArthur High School graduate. “A strong foundation has already been set at Burbank. They have strong leadership at the campus. I am very lucky and blessed to continue to try and have success there. They have great kids and a great community.”
At Burbank, Ricker plans to run a mix of three- and four-man defensive fronts and a fast-paced, spread-to-run offense.
“We are thrilled to have Coach Ricker join our SAISD family,” said Fred Anthony, SAISD senior executive director of Athletics. “He emphasizes athletic and academic success, and we are excited for the Burbank community.”
Former President Donald Trump’s new executive order, “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” has sparked backlash from historians, civil rights advocates, and Black political leaders. The order specifically targets the National Museum of African American History and Culture, accusing the Smithsonian of distorting America’s past.
While the order acknowledges the Founding Fathers’ declaration that “all men are created equal,” it ignores the reality that slavery was enshrined in the Constitution, counting enslaved people as three-fifths of a person for census purposes.
Trump claims institutions like the Smithsonian promote a “divisive, race-centered ideology” that paints America as “inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed.”
Trump has given Vice President JD Vance authority to review federally funded programs, ensuring they do not “degrade shared American values.” Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum will assess whether monuments removed since 2020 were taken down as part of what Trump calls a “false reconstruction of American history.”
This aligns with Trump’s broader effort to minimize Black history. From opposing the removal of Confederate monuments to banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, his administration has consistently sought to downplay systemic racism.
Historians warn this trend is alarming. “It seems like we’re headed in the direction where there’s even an attempt to deny slavery existed,” said Clarissa Myrick-Harris, a professor at Morehouse College. She added that such efforts also seek to erase segregation, Jim Crow laws, and racial violence.
Trump’s supporters argue his actions preserve national unity. But history that ignores slavery, segregation, and racial inequality isn’t history—it’s propaganda.
Ben Jealous, former NAACP president, explained why institutions like the African American museum are crucial. “Attempts to tell the general history of the country always omit too much,” he said. “These museums exist to tell the complete story.”
• Fired diversity officers across government.
• Cut funding for initiatives addressing racial disparities.
• Investigated colleges for considering race in admissions.
• Removed military training videos about the Tuskegee Airmen.
• Deleted an online biography of Jackie Robinson.
• Fired Gen. CQ Brown Jr., the second Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Historian Ibram X. Kendi sees this as an intentional strategy to weaken Black institutions. “That’s part of the plan,” Kendi said. “So that the only institutions telling America’s history are actually only telling political propaganda.”
What makes this even more striking is that Trump himself once praised the African American museum. In 2017, Trump praised the African American museum after visiting with Sen. Tim Scott and HUD Secretary Ben Carson. “I’m deeply proud that we now have a museum honoring the millions of African Americans who built our national heritage,” he said.
But since then, his stance has reversed. Now, he actively works to dismantle institutions that preserve Black history, using “anti-woke” rhetoric to justify erasing historical truths.
Trump’s efforts to reshape history align with his broader political strategy—justifying present inequalities by rewriting the past. His attack on Black history isn’t about truth but power.
Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette Clarke put it bluntly: “We do not run from or erase our history simply because we don’t like it. We embrace the history of our country—the good, the bad, and the ugly.”
For those still unsure about Trump’s racial politics, this executive order makes it clear: It’s not just an attack on a museum—it’s an attack on the truth itself.
There were many stories left out of American history books. Today, the Trump administration is trying to erase everything that tells the ugly truth about the United States. There was a leaflet that German Americans in San Antonio passed out in the streets of San Antonio after they found out about the Germans being killed at the Nueces River by Confederate troops during the Civil War. This was never even mentioned in any history book that was presented as truth but was mostly lies.
Many Texas Germans were anti-slavery. German men wanted to join the Union Army in New Orleans. They never made it as slave owner Confederates killed them on the Nueces River near Corpus Christi. The wounded in the battle on the Nueces were not spared. They were murdered by gun shot or trampled by horses. The book where you might find this information is also in “Rip Ford’s Texas.” Rip Ford was traitor and racist who killed Germans as well. This disgraceful racist is buried in the Confederate Cemetery on the Eastside of San Antonio. “Rip” Ford was a pro-slavery Confederate who hunted down and killed those who refused to support the Confederate slavers.
After the Germans were massacred at the Nueces River, San Antonio Germans issued the following call in the streets of downtown San Antonio. German Unionists marched through the streets of downtown San Antonio singing “John Brow’s Body” and “We’ll Hang Jeff Davis from a Sour Apple Tree” to the same tune as the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Confederate troops captured some and hanged them, and “Violence prevailed in the Alamo City and in other German communities until the end of the war.” Germans from hotel rooftops shot at slave owner soldiers’ day and night” (Quote from The Fremantle Diary, US War Department, 1862). Many of the Germans of that time hated slavery and opposed Robert E. Lee. A leaflet survived that has been ignored, and it was quite clear about fighting the pro-slavery southern armies. The words of the leaflet are quite telling. In exposing some Germens that supported slavery including the owner of the Menger hotel.
The leaflet said this, “German brothers, are your eyes not opened yet? After the rich took every picayune away from you, and the paper is worth only one-half what you so hard earned now that you have nothing left, now they go about and sell you, or throw you out of employment for Dunhauer, who left his wife and children, wants to do the same with you to the poor you might leave. Now is the time to stay the heads of Dunhauer, Maverick, Mitchel, and Menger to the last bone . . . Do away with that nuisance, and inform everybody the revolution is broke out. It is a shame Texas has such a brand. Hang them by their feet and burn them from below.”
The Menger in the leaflet probably refers to William Menger, or a relative, of hotel fame who was considered a “traitor” to German settlers. In spite of the Union blockade, William Menger supported the slave owners and was able to continue operating, “under Confederate States authority,” and “William Menger used contacts in South and West Texas to acquire goods through Mexican ports, and even sold a variety of goods to the Confederate Army itself. During the Civil War he sold a variety of goods to the Confederate military, including rifles, tallow, corn, shingles, mules, hoop iron, hose, horses, wheat, and salt.” This is why he was considered a sell-out.
Starring in cult classic films like “Candyman” and the “Star Trek” and “Final Destination” franchises, Tony Todd made an undeniable impact on the entertainment industry and has left a legacy that will be felt through generations. With a career that spanned five decades and over a hundred memorable roles both on screen and on stage, his tragic passing last November left a devastating wake and shattered the hearts of fans everywhere. Just prior to his passing, Todd completed his work on “Final Destinations: Bloodlines,” the latest iteration of the beloved franchise, and what will be the final silver screen performance from the late and great Tony Todd.
It’s been 25 years since the first “Final Destination” movie came out, and almost 15 years since its most recent installment, so fans of the horror movie series are anticipating this upcoming release like never before – the film’s trailer achieved a whopping 178.7 million views in its first 24 hours, which earns it the record for the second most watched horror movie trailer of all time (after 2017’s “It”).
“Final Destination: Bloodlines” is the sixth movie in the series and upholds the macabre traditions of its predecessors, honing in on the lives (and deaths) of a particular family who is being targeted by the entity Death, leading to a number of outlandish and bizarrely gruesome onscreen killings. The soon-to-be-released film will also feature the reprisal of Tony Todd’s fan-favorite character, the eerily and mysteriously knowledgeable-about-death funeral home director, William Bludworth.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and with his iconic deep, gravelly voice, Tony Todd’s presence and unboastful confidence was felt wherever he went. Whether in a starring or supporting role, Todd made strong impressions in the film industry and in the theatre world. His iconic performance as the titular villain in the classic 1992 film “Candyman” cemented his star-status and established his range and capabilities as an actor, ultimately leading to him becoming a role model within the industry through his commitment to uplifting and mentoring young, aspiring actors.
Much of the anticipation surrounding the upcoming “Bloodlines” film is rooted in the fact that it will be Tony Todd’s posthumous and last big screen role. Having played such a significant part in the franchise, and being the only recurring character in the “Final Destination” series to appear in nearly every film, Todd became the glue that held it all together. Now that he’s gone, it’s unclear what direction the franchise will take next, but at least we have “Bloodlines” to look forward to in the meantime.
In what will likely be a heartfelt and honorific farewell to the tremendously talented Tony Todd, “Final Destinations; Bloodlines” will hit theaters everywhere on May 16th.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is in real trouble. With billions in losses, fewer people sending letters, and pressure from a new cost-cutting team led by Elon Musk and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the way Americans get their mail is about to change.
This isn’t just about politics or money — this is your mail. Your prescriptions. Your checks. Your packages. Your connection to the outside world, especially if you live in a small town or rural area.
Last year, the USPS lost $9.5 billion. Americans send fewer personal letters than ever, but USPS is still required to deliver to every address — even the ones no private company wants to touch. Remote towns in Alaska still get their mail by float plane. Tribal communities in Arizona rely on mules to bring theirs down into the Grand Canyon.
While private delivery companies like FedEx and UPS can skip expensive routes or charge more, USPS has to show up everywhere, six days a week. And each year, the number of delivery points grows.
So, while the volume of mail is dropping, the cost to deliver it keeps going up.
Now Musk’s DOGE team has its hands on USPS. Their goal? Cut costs — fast.
Changes already in motion include phasing out 10,000 jobs through early retirements, slowing delivery times (especially in rural areas), and replacing aging trucks with electric ones. But that’s just the start.
Some people are pushing for even more extreme ideas — like shutting down local post offices or fully privatizing the service. That would mean rural communities could be left behind, and prices for basic mail service could skyrocket.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who recently stepped down, blamed Congress for blocking progress.
The simplest and most obvious ideas and solutions receive illogical and irrational scrutiny from those that have no responsibility for ensuring the financial viability of the Postal Service,” DeJoy wrote in his resignation letter.
Even before DOGE got involved, DeJoy was trying to overhaul USPS under a plan called “Delivering for America.” But constant roadblocks, including from lawmakers who don’t want to upset voters back home by closing a local post office or removing door-to-door delivery, made progress difficult.
The USPS has been around longer than the country itself — since 1775. It was built to connect people and communities, and to make sure every American had access to communication.
At one time, it even delivered newspapers for free, because leaders believed a well-informed public was necessary for democracy.
Congress said it clearly when it created the modern USPS:
The Postal Service shall have as its basic function the obligation to provide postal services to bind the Nation together…
That mission hasn’t changed, even if the world around it has.
Unionized postal workers are fighting hard against more cuts. They’ve staged protests across the country in response to the idea that DOGE could bring even deeper slashes.
Mark Dimondstein, president of the postal workers’ union, put it bluntly:
“…any attack on the Postal Service is part of the ongoing oligarchs’ coup against the vital public services our members and other public servants provide the country. We know that privatized postal services will lead to higher postage prices, and lower service quality to the public.”
And he’s not alone. People still value the USPS — even if they don’t send as much mail as before. In one part of Wisconsin, a 100-year-old tradition still exists: “mail jumpers” leap from a moving boat to hand-deliver mail to homes with no road access.
“Because it has been such a long tradition, it’s something people are attached to and really, really value,” said Ellen Dare Burling, who manages that mail route by water.
Even she admits she doesn’t send checks in the mail anymore. But the emotional connection? It’s still strong.
The USPS doesn’t make a profit, and it wasn’t designed to. That’s not a flaw — that’s the point.
If we let it be carved up and sold off, it won’t be easy to get back. And once it’s gone, you’ll notice.
Not just when your packages arrive late, but when entire communities lose a service they rely on.
This isn’t just a delivery problem. It’s a warning.
Deion Sanders reportedly inked a five-year, $54 million contract extension with Colorado University that makes him one of college football’s highest-paid coaches, set to make $10 million in 2025 but $12 million in 2029.
The Buffaloes went 9-4 in 2024 and produced two likely top picks in next month’s NFL Draft, quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.
For many Black women, sitting for hours to have synthetic braids installed is a common beauty routine. But concerns are growing about whether the benefits of protective styling are outweighed by potential health risks.
This conversation has gained momentum alongside a stalled federal proposal to ban formaldehyde in hair-straightening chemicals. Now, attention is shifting to the possible dangers of synthetic hair, fueled by a recent Consumer Reports study that found toxic substances in several popular braiding products.
Research on the safety of synthetic braiding hair is scarce, but Consumer Reports recently conducted an independent study examining ten widely used products. The findings, published in February, revealed the presence of hazardous chemicals, including lead, benzene, and other known carcinogens.
While these results are concerning, experts caution against drawing definitive conclusions. Cosmetic chemist Javon Ford criticized the study’s limited scope, noting that only two samples of each product were tested, despite the vast number of brands on the market. Additionally, the study did not undergo the rigorous peer review process required for medical or scientific journals.
James Rogers, head of product safety at Consumer Reports, defended the research as a starting point for broader discussions. “We thought the results were important enough to start the conversation,” he said, acknowledging the need for further studies.
Some past research supports the idea that synthetic hair may release harmful chemicals. A 2020 study published in Environmental Health Insights found that heating synthetic hair—commonly done by burning the ends or dipping braids in hot water—released volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including benzene. These chemicals can easily evaporate into the air and be inhaled, raising potential health concerns.
However, the full extent of health risks remains unknown. Epidemiologist Jasmine McDonald of Columbia University, who has studied chemical hair straighteners, emphasized that the Consumer Reports study should raise awareness rather than fear. She also pointed out the lack of government oversight on synthetic hair, which means manufacturers are largely responsible for ensuring safety.
“I think that in our culture, we sometimes normalize things to the point where we don’t see the harm,” McDonald said. “The more that we can raise awareness that some of these cultural routines could potentially provide harm is us having the potential to stop that harm.”
For those looking to minimize exposure to synthetic hair, there are alternatives.
Salon owner Gloria Okpurukre of Anointed Fingers in Fayetteville, Georgia, recommends Brazilian wool as a substitute, though it won’t provide the same appearance as synthetic hair. Braiding natural hair without extensions is another option, but it may lack the desired volume and length.
Some companies have introduced banana fiber-based synthetic hair, which is marketed as a gentler option for the scalp. However, Ford warns that switching brands doesn’t necessarily eliminate chemical exposure.
Molecular biologist Raven Baxter, who has spoken about braiding hair on social media, has stopped using synthetic braiding products altogether due to the lack of transparency in labeling and research. Instead, she opts for single-ingredient hair care products like aloe vera gel and vegetable glycerin.
“A lot of the work that scientists do, we’re able to do it because a funder deemed it as important to support that research,” Baxter said. “Until we have funders that value the things that we’re concerned about, we’re not necessarily going to get the research published that concerns us.”
McDonald advises consumers to avoid products containing PFAS, parabens, and other “forever chemicals.” She also suggests checking online databases like the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners’ Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, which provides information on ingredient safety.
With limited research and no FDA regulations on synthetic braiding hair, many are left to weigh the risks for themselves. While more studies are needed, the conversation about hair safety is growing, pushing for more transparency and regulation in the beauty industry.
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