While you were doom-scrolling this week, some major stories flew under the radar. From the way streaming services exploit musicians to Trump’s expanded travel bans, these developments are shaping culture, politics, and communities. Here’s what you might have missed but definitely need to know.

  1. Music streaming’s money problem: Black musicians created most popular music genres but streaming services like Spotify are destroying artist income, paying mere pennies per play compared to traditional album sales. This economic squeeze disproportionately hurts artists of color. Smart listeners are switching to fairer platforms like Bandcamp, buying vinyl, and supporting artists directly through merch and concerts. Read more at URL Media.

  2. Immigration raids spark L.A. protests: Trump deployed National Guard troops to LA without California’s consent after massive protests erupted over federal immigration raids. Protesters torched self-driving cars and police used tear gas. Critics say the Trump administration is engaging in political theater as more members of the military prepare are on standby. See images from the ground at URL Media.

  3. Kids well-being report shows mixed results: A new national report shows mixed results for American kids’ well-being. While child poverty dropped and more parents got stable jobs, education took a major hit with worse test scores and skyrocketing absences post-pandemic. Kids of color face way higher rates of being disconnected from school and work. Read more at URL Media.

  4. Cincinnati case gets death penalty bid: A Cincinnati father faces the death penalty for killing a sheriff’s deputy with his car after police fatally shot his 18-year-old son during a stolen car chase. The case highlights police accountability issues and grief-fueled revenge, yet has received little mainstream media coverage despite viral social media attention. Read more at URL Media.
  1. New Trump travel ban targets African nations: Trump’s new travel ban blocks citizens from 12 countries, mostly in Africa and the Middle East, including Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen. The ban is broader than his 2017 version and affects millions of Black migrants. Legal experts expect it to survive court challenges due to its more detailed structure. Read more at Capital B.

This content may have been created with AI collection or assistance.

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