It’s Wednesday, and you know what that means — another wild ride on The Mornin’ Experience! From the latest headlines to the stories you’ll actually want to talk about, we’ve got your midweek mix of news, laughs, and real conversation. Plus, ShizzyGetBizzy is back with a brand-new Top 10 — and trust us, this list is guaranteed to have you debating, laughing, and maybe even questioning a few life choices. So grab your coffee, turn us up, and let’s get your Wednesday started the Mornin’ Experience way — where culture, comedy, and conversation always collide.

From the streets of Philadelphia to kitchens around the world, Chef Brandon Truesdale has been serving up more than just meals — he’s delivering experiences. A Culinary Institute of America graduate, Chef Truesdale has worked alongside Iron Chefs and James Beard Award winners, and was one of just three chefs selected from 2,000 applicants for an elite culinary training program abroad with the U.S. Army.

He’s led kitchens at universities, hospitals, and even West Point Military Academy, blending food, education, and community. Most recently, he’s been the creative force behind Nashville favorites like Supperclub on Belcourt and Bungalow 10, and now serves as District Manager for Noir Kitchen and Cocktails and Linq Social Kitchen. Today, we dive into Chef Truesdale’s journey, his passion for food, and what it truly means to serve others through the culinary arts.

This episode of The Mornin’ Experience is packed with news, culture, and controversy:

• Verzuz is back! Catch the legendary battle live at ComplexCon in Las Vegas on October 25th — it’s Cash Money Records vs. No Limit Records.
• Former NFL QB Mark Sanchez is now facing a felony battery charge following a parking lot altercation, adding to his weekend misdemeanor troubles.
• In Baltimore, city leaders approved a $13.3 million purchase of a downtown hotel to house the homeless, marking the third such acquisition in two years.

Main Story: Aliyah Jones exposes hiring bias in corporate America through a viral fake LinkedIn profile, turning the experience into a documentary series highlighting discrimination in tech and beyond. We’ll also hit your Shizz-Top 10, giving you the laughs, the culture, and the conversation you don’t want to miss.

On today’s episode of The Mornin’ Experience — California makes history (again). Governor Gavin Newsom just signed a groundbreaking law to regulate major AI companies, saying the state can “protect communities and keep innovation alive.” Translation: California’s not letting the robots run wild — at least, not yet. Meanwhile, Apple’s stirring the pot after pulling an ICE-tracking app from its App Store, claiming it posed “safety risks” to agents.

The move’s got the tech world — and the Trump administration — heated. And if you’re wondering why there’s radio silence on new job numbers, it’s because the Labor Department’s monthly report is missing in action thanks to the ongoing government shutdown. Economists are calling it the murkiest moment for hiring data in over a decade.

And for Topic Tuesday — we’re asking: Is trick-or-treating still a thing? Or did the kids trade costumes for TikToks? It’s all coming up on The Mornin’ Experience — where culture, commentary, and comedy collide.

The Mornin’ Experience — we’re breaking down the latest headlines stirring up national conversation. In Chicago, an ICE raid left women, children, and even U.S. citizens zip-tied in a South Shore apartment complex. DHS claimed the operation targeted Venezuelan gang members — but so far, there’s no proof anyone from Tren de Aragua was even there.

Meanwhile, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem is going viral for comments slamming the NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl halftime show — warning the league that “they won’t be able to sleep at night.” On a brighter tech note, a breakthrough in reproductive medicine — doctors in Mexico have welcomed 20 babies conceived through an AI-powered IVF process.

This could change fertility care for families around the world. For our main story: Dave Chappelle’s comments from the Riyadh Comedy Festival are sparking major backlash after he claimed it’s “easier to be a comedian in Saudi Arabia than in America.” And while A-list comics like Kevin Hart and Chris Tucker took the stage, critics say the move ignores Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.

Finally, new reports raise fresh questions in the death of college student Trey Reed — a Kaepernick-funded independent autopsy found signs of blunt force trauma, contradicting the initial suicide ruling. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has yet to confirm those findings.

It’s The Mornin’ Experience — where news meets nuance and culture meets conversation.

Antonio White — a battle-tested executive advisor and strategist with nearly two decades of leadership across business, government, and philanthropy. Antonio rose to national prominence during the Obama Administration, serving at the White House and later at the U.S. Treasury Department, where he advised two Treasury Secretaries and built international partnerships on five continents. After his time in government, Antonio founded a public affairs firm guiding global brands like Airbnb, Puma, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation through bold, culture-shaping initiatives. He’s also worked with the Gates Foundation and, under the Biden-Harris Administration, launched Treasury’s first Office of Community Engagement, overseeing a billion-dollar coalition to strengthen community banks. Antonio’s expertise has since extended to Bank of America and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, where he earned multiple Distinguished Service Awards. Recognized by Fortune’s 40 Under 40, Bloomberg, and Black Enterprise, Antonio continues to drive strategy at the highest levels with clarity, vision, and impact.

On today’s episode, we’ve got a packed lineup: Reading Rainbow makes a colorful return with viral librarian Mychal Threets as host, Royal Caribbean is battling yet another norovirus outbreak, and OpenAI just launched its very own TikTok competitor—powered entirely by AI content. Our Main Story dives into Donald Trump’s latest eyebrow-raising suggestion for U.S. policy, plus what Pete Hegseth said in his headline-making speech (and what the media didn’t show you). We’ll wrap things up with the Shizz-Top 10, and for What You Watchin’ Wednesday we break down Trophy Wife: Murder on Safari.

It’s Topic Tuesday, and we’ve got a lineup that shows just how complicated — and heavy — America’s conversations around race, equity, and safety have become:

• Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport just walked away from at least $37.5 million in federal funds after refusing to disavow its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs under new Trump administration mandates.
• In Florida, a Broward County teacher is under investigation for telling a largely Black classroom that “Black people are taught to hate white people.”
• Meanwhile in Georgia, outrage is growing after photos surfaced of white high school fans in blackface and afro wigs at a volleyball game.

Topic Tuesday: We’re asking the tough question — have America’s churches become the new “shooting grounds,” just like our schools? Multiple incidents across the country are reigniting fears about safety in sacred spaces. From airports to classrooms, volleyball courts to sanctuaries, we’re digging into the stories that reveal what’s really at stake in America’s cultural moment.

On today’s episode, we’re unpacking some of the biggest headlines shaping the week:

• In Iowa, the Des Moines superintendent has been placed on administrative leave following his detention by federal immigration agents.
• The Trump administration is bringing back hundreds of federal employees previously laid off by DOGE.
• Former NFL cornerback Charles “Peanut” Tillman shares why he left the FBI, pointing to immigration policies as the breaking point.

Main Story I: Louisiana is footing a $3 billion bill to upgrade power for Meta’s new mega–data center project, sparking debate over who should pay for Big Tech’s growth.

Main Story II: Across the U.S., public school districts are grappling with steep enrollment declines, with thousands of schools at risk of closure. Philadelphia, Boston, Houston, and others are weighing tough decisions, raising urgent questions about the future of public education. From Big Tech’s footprint to shrinking classrooms, we’re breaking down what these shifts mean for communities, equity, and the American future.