‘What You Need To Know:’ Financial Woes of FBI Agents & More

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Sybil’s Birthday Shout-Outs

Candace Parker, 38

Suge Knight, 59

Afrika Bambaataa, 67

Kate Hudson, 45

Ashley Judd, 56

Hayden Christensen, 43

Shariq O’Neal, 21

Ali Wong, 42

Simu Liu, 35

James Franco, 46

Joanna Gaines, 46

Remembering:

Guru (1961-2010)

1. Kennedy Kinfolk Not Supporting Their Own

Kennedy Kinfolk Not Supporting Their Own

What You Need to Know:

Despite a strong and famous family bond, members of the Kennedy family met in Philadelphia Thursday afternoon to endorse the presidential candidacy, not of one of their own, Robert Kennedy, Jr., but that of Joe Biden. Over a dozen of Bobby Jr.’s family, including sister, Kerry, and nephews and nieces, threw their support to the current President. 

CNN noted, “The broader Kennedy family has mostly shunned RFK Jr.’s campaign, calling it ‘dangerous,’ even as the candidate himself looks to capitalize on his last name and family history.”

Most of Kennedy’s 10 siblings, the children of late Senator Robert Kennedy, Sr. and Ethel Kennedy, said they were there to support Joe Biden who most closely represents the values of their late father. Describing the high stakes of the current presidential campaign, Kerry Kennedy told supporters that the future of the country’s democracy depends on the outcome of the November election. 

2. Crime Doesn't Pay, And Neither Do the Feds?

Crime Doesn’t Pay, And Neither Do the Feds?

 WRITTEN & CONTRIBUTED BY KHAMERON RILEY

What You Need to Know:

In bustling cities across the United States, many FBI agents face a harsh reality: soaring housing costs make it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. According to the bureau and Justice Department officials, this financial strain forces agents to endure hours-long commutes or even share living spaces with multiple colleagues.

A survey conducted last year revealed that more than two-thirds of agents residing in these cities need help managing their finances on their current salaries. The Agents Association advocates for a housing allowance to address this issue and supports agents struggling with steep rents or mortgages. They are proposing a $165 million pilot program in the Justice Department’s 2025 budget to alleviate agents’ financial burden in cities such as New York, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.

3. What Black Women Need to Know About Herpes

What Black Women Need to Know About Herpes

What You Need to Know:

It’s no secret that the sexually transmitted infection herpes has been in the news a lot lately.

But what’s also been swirling on the Internet are a lot of misinformation and myths about what herpes actually is, how its transmitted and what puts you at risk. So let us break it all down for you.

What is herpes? It’s a common viral infection causes by two different but similar viruses: Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).

4. Supreme Court Allows Ban for Transgender Treatment for Minors

Supreme Court Allows Ban for Transgender Treatment for Minors

WRITTEN & CONTRIBUTED BY KWYN TOWNSEND-RILEY

What You Need to Know:

According to the New York Times, the  Supreme Court has allowed a ban in Idaho to be enforced on gender affirming treatment for minors. The Idaho law, passed by the state’s Republican-controlled legislature, makes it a felony for doctors to provide transgender medical care for minors, including hormone treatment. The law, the Vulnerable Child Protection Act, makes it a crime for medical providers to offer medical care to transgender teenagers. This law bans puberty blockers, hormone-related therapy and certain surgeries. Idaho doctors who prescribe these treatments to transgender youth could face up to 10 years in prison. 

This would not affect the two transgender teens who sued the state. 

At least 20 Republican led states, including Idaho, have enacted legislation that limits access for gender transition care for minors. 

5. Black Entrepreneur Satisfies Sweet Cravings with Cookie Business

Black Entrepreneur Satisfies Sweet Cravings with Cookie Business

 WRITTEN AND CONTRIBUTED BY CHERIE S. WHITE

What You Need to Know:

Creativity comes in many forms. Some people are blessed with musical talents while others find success in the culinary arts. Famed drummer and baker Ralph Rolle happens to have both of those talents in one. As owner of Soul Snacks Cookies, a Black-owned cookie shop in the Bronx, New York, Rolle is serving up sweet satisfaction to cookie lovers nationwide.

During his musical career, Rolle played for many icons including Nile Rodgers and Chic, Aretha Franklin, Biggie Smalls, Queen Latifah and D’Angelo. Still, baking remained a passion of his. So after putting down his drum sticks and picking up his mixing bowl, Rolle has crafted recipes for delicious baked treats for nearly 30 years. And those treats have customers, including celebrities like television hosts Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Roberts, raving about them. Even before these celebrities got a taste of Soul Snacks Cookies, Rolle, known as the “Cookie Man” in his community, scored major points with family, friends, even love interests, in his Bronx neighborhood.