Today’s Stories:
From Cemetery Hate Crimes to Who Gets to Belong in America A quiet Black cemetery in Florida became the center of national outrage after graves were vandalized with “Trump” and “DeSantis” graffiti, sparking renewed fears over political extremism spilling into sacred spaces. Community leaders say the cemetery is more than burial ground — it’s family history, and they’re demanding answers after the White House condemned the act.
At Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, a major new exhibit is making history: the largest showcase of LGBTQ African art ever assembled. Here: Pride and Belonging in African Art highlights nearly 60 works from queer African artists across the continent and diaspora, opening after months of delays that frustrated artists and advocates alike.
A new education report paints a grim picture for U.S. schools. Student reading and math scores remain well below pre-pandemic levels, confirming what many teachers already knew: the learning gap didn’t disappear when classrooms reopened — and the long-term consequences may still be unfolding.
In pop culture, Nick Cannon is bringing his real life to
Netflix with a docuseries centered on raising his 12 children, while Ice Cube and Mike Epps confirmed Last Friday is officially in development — reviving one of Black comedy’s most iconic franchises.
Meanwhile,
Papa Johns is testing drone delivery, because apparently your sandwich can now arrive by air.
Main Story: Free Speech or Hate Speech on Campus? At Salisbury University, hundreds of students protested after white nationalist speaker Jared Taylor was allowed to speak on campus under heavy security. Signs reading “hate is not welcome” filled the crowd, reigniting a debate many schools keep avoiding: where does free speech end when speech itself targets the humanity of students sitting in the audience?
Today we’re unpacking why universities often defend these events under the First Amendment, why students say neutrality protects hate, and how this Maryland protest reflects a larger national fight over race, power, and who gets protected in public institutions.