Starting5: Shedeur Sanders Lawsuit, Rick Ross Car Show, HIV News, and Black Voter Plan
Welcome to Starting5, your daily rundown of five ATL news items that should be on your radar or in your group chat. Our morning primer covering culture, politics, sports, and more, is your cheat sheet on what's buzzing in the A.
Shedeur Sanders was believed by many to be one of the most talented collegiate footballers available in last month's NFL Draft. So when 143 players were selected before the star quarterback from the University of Colorado, conspiracy theories swirled. Players chosen early in the draft typically sign more lucrative contracts, so Sanders falling to the fifth round before being taken by the Cleveland Browns costs Deion's son serious cash. One Georgian is taking his own claims to court in pursuit of $100 million in damages, according to USA Today. The plaintiff — referred to as John Doe — alleged a 'coordinated and racially motivated smear campaign' against Sanders by the NFL and its teams. After suing earlier this month, John Doe filed an emergency motion Monday requesting various records, from relevant internal communications to recordings of team meetings that involved Sanders to an extensive report that found evidence of collusion against Black QBs. The NFL has not publicly addressed the lawsuit.
A federal agent testified Wednesday in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial, speaking on the March 2024 raid of the music mogul's Miami properties that reportedly yielded guns, drugs, and sex paraphernalia. Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Gerard Gannon said authorities found 31 bottles of Astroglide lubricant and 25 bottles of baby oil on the property, according to NBC News. They also reportedly seized a handgun, a bag that contained white residue that tested positive for cocaine and ketamine, and pills that tested positive for MDMA and the main ingredient of hallucinogenic mushrooms. Combs' team downplayed the gun evidence, insisting that the weapon was wrapped in tape and unloaded, making it inoperable. Combs' assistant, George Kaplan, testified against his former boss after being granted immunity by the prosecution. He spoke of being tasked to regularly clean Diddy's hotel rooms of baby oil and empty liquor bottles — but the court adjourned before his testimony wrapped. He will resume Thursday. But all eyes will be on Kid Cudi, who is also expected to take the stand to speak on his brief romantic relationship with Combs' ex, Cassie Ventura.
The biggest vehicle showcase Fayetteville has seen is scheduled to return next month for a fourth consecutive year. Rick Ross' car and bike show is pulling up on June 7, and police and local officials reportedly say they are prepared for the influx of visitors that have previously created traffic, litter, and noise nuisances in the Atlanta suburb. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that South Fulton officers plan to clock extra shifts on the day of the show, posting up at key intersections, working with local business owners to prevent guests from trashing their parking lots, and coordinating with Ross' team. General admission to mingle with other car lovers at the showcase will run you $250.
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms says she has a simple solution for engaging Black male voters: Hear them out. 'I'm going to talk directly to Black men … about why they have been discouraged [and] what maybe made them say, 'I don't know that anybody is listening to me,'' Bottoms told Capital B Atlanta on Tuesday after officially launching her Georgia gubernatorial campaign. Black men in the Peach State became a focus in last year's general election and are believed by many to be a key voting bloc. In a wide-ranging interview with Capital B Atlanta, Bottoms shared her thoughts on reproductive rights; 'Cop City'; diversity, equity, and inclusion; immigration; and galvanizing voters. 'It's about all of us,' she said. 'We can't take anybody for granted.'
The Fulton County Board of Health reportedly cut 17 jobs on Monday without the approval of Georgia's Department of Health. One laid-off employee said the move will have 'major implications for the community's health going forward.' Healthbeat Atlanta reports that Fulton's health department, which is instrumental in delivering sexual health and HIV services, has put two executive leaders of the county agency on leave. Fulton is among the 15 counties nationwide with the highest rates of new HIV diagnoses in 2022, according to data from AidsVu. A spokesperson for the public health department said the cuts will not affect delivery of services.
The post Starting5: Shedeur Sanders Lawsuit, Rick Ross Car Show, HIV News, and Black Voter Plan appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta.
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Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Could Trump pardon Diddy and end his trial?
Sean "Diddy" Combs is being tried in a New York courtroom for racketeering and sexual trafficking. Could that daily drama vanish instantly if President Donald Trump pardoned the embattled rapper? "Yes, it could," says Brian Kalt, law professor at Michigan State University College of Law, who focuses on legal issues and the presidency. According to Kalt, Trump — who appears to be in the middle of a pardoning spree — would be within his presidential rights to extend a preemptive pardon to fellow New Yorker Combs, who has been described by witnesses so far as violent and abusive. "These are federal charges (against Combs), so that's the main limit. The matter has be federal, it has to be criminal vs. civil, and related to something that's already been done," says Kalt. "But the person doesn't have to even be charged yet, or convicted. The Supreme Court has said preemptive pardons are OK." Trump weighed in on the possibility Friday, May 30, in the Oval Office. "Nobody's asked" about a pardon, the president said. "But I know people are thinking about it. I know they're thinking about it. I think some people have been very close to asking." Trump added, "I haven't spoken to him in years. He really liked me a lot." 'Nobody's asked': President Trump doesn't rule out pardoning Sean 'Diddy' Combs Typically, one of the last gestures from an outgoing president is a pardon. In President Joe Biden's final days in office, he famously pardoned his son, Hunter, convicted of federal gun felonies and federal tax charges. At the end of Trump's first term, he granted clemency to political allies such as Roger Stone, found guilty of obstructing a congressional investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and related offenses. But pardons can take place during a president's term, says Kalt. The right was established in Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the Constitution, which among other things gives the president "power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment." Kalt says the power to pardon is derived from the British monarch's historic right and stems from a recognition that criminal law was often too harsh, and it was important to have a safety valve. "The president was the best person to be that safety valve because of his political accountability," he says. But that's where things get murky, he adds, noting that Republican lawmakers "don't appear willing to hold the president accountable" for granting pardons, meaning they aren't costing him in terms of political capital. In contrast, President Gerald Ford's controversial pardoning of disgraced President Richard Nixon was perceived so negatively "that it probably cost Ford re-election in 1976," Kalt says. In just over 100 days since taking office, Trump has issued pardons to a broad range of personalities. They include Todd and Julie Chrisley, stars of the reality show "Chrisley Knows Best," who were convicted in 2022 of swindling $36 million from Atlanta banks and being tax evaders, and rapper NBA YoungBoy, who in 2024 was sentenced to two years in prison for weapons possession. He also pardoned former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich, convicted of wire fraud and extortion, and Jan. 6 participant and "Bob's Burgers" actor Jay Johnston. The reason many presidents issue pardons at the end of their terms is precisely to avoid political fallout, says Kalt. In that sense, Trump's brash approach suggests he has no concerns about such ramifications. "I don't agree with these pardons on their merits, but the fact that he did them when he is politically accountable as opposed to slinking out the door does add some legitimacy to them in that sense," he says. "With pardons, you don't need Congress, you wave your magic wand and it happens. You can see the appeal for a president, particularly one like Trump." One can also see the appeal for those such as Combs, whose ordeal could end instantly should Trump's pardon "wand" wave his way. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Trump pardon Diddy? Trial could end, experts say
Black America Web
3 hours ago
- Black America Web
Pardon For Pay: Will Diddy Be The Next Celebrity Pardoned By Trump?
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty As Donald Trump continues his second term with a controversial string of presidential pardons, the former reality star turned commander-in-chief is now entertaining the idea of possibly granting clemency to embattled hip-hop mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs. During a recent press conference, Trump was asked whether he would consider pardoning Combs, who is currently on trial in New York facing charges that include sex trafficking, racketeering, and coercion. The former president didn't say no; instead, he left the door wide open. 'First of all, I'd look at what's happening. And I haven't been watching it too closely,' Trump admitted. 'But I know people are thinking about it. I think some people have been very close to asking.' Combs, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, is currently standing trial after a string of civil lawsuits and a federal indictment painted him as the alleged leader of a violent criminal enterprise; he faces a potential life sentence if convicted on the most serious counts. The charges stem in part from a 2023 civil suit filed by his former partner, singer Cassie Ventura, which alleged years of physical and sexual abuse. Though that lawsuit was quickly settled, it opened a floodgate of accusations from multiple women, prompting a federal investigation. Then, in May 2024, damning security footage surfaced showing Combs attacking Ventura in a hotel hallway in 2016. The graphic footage led to Combs issuing an apology, calling his actions 'inexcusable,' though he continues to deny all allegations of sexual assault. Still, Trump seems unbothered by the optics of even floating the idea of a pardon in a case so widely publicized and emotionally charged. 'Whether they like me or don't like me, it wouldn't have any impact,' he said. 'If I think somebody was mistreated, I would look at the facts.' Source: Ron Galella / Getty Trump's comments reignited debate around the use—and abuse—of presidential pardon power. In the first months of his second term, Trump has issued dozens of pardons, including clemency for reality TV personalities Todd and Julie Chrisley, rapper NBA YoungBoy, and a blanket pardon for all January 6th rioters. His track record for celebrity-centric or politically charged pardons has sparked concern about how presidential clemency is being leveraged for personal narratives, culture war fodder, or social media applause. Trump's musings on Diddy's legal future also rekindled public memory of their past relationship. The two were once seen at high-profile events together, including a 2005 gala at Mar-a-Lago and a 2008 U.N. fundraiser. 'He used to really like me a lot,' Trump noted, before implying that their relationship soured after he entered politics. 'I'd read some little bit nasty statements in the paper all of a sudden.' The comments come on the heels of a recent interview with Suge Knight, former CEO of Death Row Records, who also floated the idea that Trump could be Diddy's best shot at clemency. If Trump were to act on it, the move would undoubtedly add to the long and growing list of headline-grabbing pardons that have become a hallmark of his presidential legacy. Still, this is not merely a legal or political story—it's a moral one. The question isn't just whether Trump can pardon Diddy, but whether he should. With multiple women accusing Combs of violent and coercive behavior, a pardon would not only dismiss the severity of the charges but also further erode public trust in the justice system — particularly for victims of sexual violence. And yet, in Trump's America, celebrity, proximity, and popularity often blur the lines between accountability and absolution. As Trump himself said, 'It's not a popularity contest.' But as he also made clear: 'I would certainly look at the facts.' For a president who's never shied away from turning the criminal justice system into a tool of spectacle and loyalty, it wouldn't be surprising if the facts ultimately mattered less than the headlines. The question now is: will Diddy become the next recipient of presidential mercy, serving as another reminder that in this political era, justice often comes with a price tag? SEE ALSO: Report: Elon Musk Allegedly Used Heavy Drugs While Courting Trump Thanks To Donald Trump, The American Dream Is Dead SEE ALSO Pardon For Pay: Will Diddy Be The Next Celebrity Pardoned By Trump? was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Stefon Diggs' Job With Patriots Could Be In Jeopardy After Disturbing Viral Video: Report
Stefon Diggs' Job With Patriots Could Be In Jeopardy After Disturbing Viral Video: Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs' New England Patriots tenure may be over before it even gets started. Advertisement The 31-year-old wideout found himself in hot water after a video emerged on social media of him on a boat surrounded by women in swimsuits passing a bag containing an unknown substance to one of his guests. The Patriots are aware of the video, and the team is reportedly deciding on how to address it with Diggs. 'It's something that we're aware of, and obviously we want to make great decisions on and off the field,' Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters. 'The message will be the same for all our players, that we're trying to make great decisions. And any conversations that I've had with Stefon will remain between him and I and the club.' Diggs, a two-time All-Pro selection who signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Patriots in March, hasn't been present at Patriots OTAs, and his future with the team is now in question according to a recent report from Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. Advertisement 'I sort of think all things are on the table,' Breer said in a radio interview with 98.5 The Sports Hub. 'And I think it's really, to me at least, it's going to boil down to what [Stefon] told Vrabel and how believable it was, because I think it's going to be hard for anybody — the league's going to look into this and they're going to hit a dead end because they're not going to be able to prove what was in the bag. So, then it's up to the team to make a decision.' Diggs' deal, which included a $12 million signing bonus, comes with $25 million guaranteed. Breer noted if New England has any chance of getting some of that money back for essentially firing Diggs for cause, they have to move swiftly. Former Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Taormina-Imagn Images 'If the team wants to recoup any of the guaranteed money, they have to cut him right away because you can't hold him on the roster for two weeks and decide, 'OK, we're done with you then,'' Breer continued. 'So, my guess would be the reason he wasn't at practice—and this is purely a guess—might be because [Vrabel] told him to stay away and maybe they're sorting through everything now.' Advertisement Breer also noted that Diggs' behavior is exactly what Vrabel is trying to discourage with the culture shift he's trying to instill in his first year as Patriots head coach. 'This sort of thing can undermine all of that,' Breer added. 'If [Diggs] falls on the sword and does everything right, then fine, but, if [Vrabel] thinks he is lying to him I just wouldn't doubt Mike having the stomach to cut him.' Related: Patrick Mahomes Reacts to Taylor Swift's Major Career Announcement Related: Shedeur Sanders Sounds Off on Browns QB Competition Amid Rumors He Could be Cut This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
