Legal charges are mounting for Kroy “KJ” Biermann, the 15-year-old son of reality TV personalities Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann. A grand jury recently returned an indictment with serious allegations against the teenager.
According to the September 3 indictment, KJ is facing multiple counts including aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, aggravated sodomy, false imprisonment and three counts of sexual battery against a child under 16. His attorney, Jason Sheffield, is pushing back hard on the legal charges, emphasizing that these are just allegations at this stage.
The teenager was initially arrested on August 17 after another minor accused him of sexual misconduct. KJ has denied all wrongdoing through his legal team.
“There are two children at the center of this case,” Sheffield stated following the indictment. “KJ was 14 years old when these events allegedly occurred.” He’s advocating for his client’s right to a fair process, noting that so far, only the prosecution’s side of the story has been presented. Sheffield reminded observers that “an arrest and an indictment cannot tell us the whole truth of a case.”
Since his arrest, KJ has been held at the Metro Regional Youth Detention Center. A source close to the family shared that he’s been keeping up with his schoolwork while dealing with this difficult situation. “He’s doing the best he can at the moment,” the source told US Weekly. “He calls his mom every day.”
On September 2, his legal team filed a motion seeking bond, highlighting KJ’s strong connections to family, teachers, coaches and friends as reasons he should be released pending trial.
Sheffield remains confident in his client’s innocence and says the defense will present its full case “at the appropriate time and place.” The next court hearing is scheduled for September 9, where the judge will likely address the bond motion and other procedural matters.
New details are emerging about the in-flight incident that led to Wheel of Fortune host Jim Thornton being questioned by authorities and later suspended from the game show. This situation touches on serious topics including mass incarceration and how quickly allegations can impact public figures.
According to TMZ, a passenger aboard Thornton’s May American Airlines flight from Charlotte to Los Angeles became concerned after seeing messages on his laptop that she believed came from a chatroom involving inappropriate discussions about minors. The passenger photographed the screen and alerted a flight attendant, prompting the captain to contact authorities. Many are turning to mass incarceration discussions to understand how the justice system handles such allegations.
Law enforcement met the plane at LAX and questioned Thornton before allowing him to leave.
Thornton’s attorney, Allison Hart, strongly denied that he engaged in illegal activity.
“My client never viewed, downloaded or consumed any child pornography whether on that commercial flight in May or at any other time,” said Hart.
The attorney said Thornton became involved in suicide-prevention advocacy after losing a close family member to suicide and had spent time visiting online forums to support people experiencing suicidal thoughts.
According to Hart, an acquaintance sent Thornton a link to lifeline.chat, and he did not initially realize the nature of the site. She said he left after discovering what it was.
Thornton was never arrested or charged.
“In short, my client did nothing wrong,” Hart continued.
Sony Pictures Television has suspended Thornton from Wheel of Fortune while it conducts an investigation.
As the country heads into the midterm elections, The Root spoke with Planned Parenthood President Alexis McGill Johnson about what’s truly at stake for reproductive rights. Reflecting on the expiration of a year-long funding ban passed under President Trump’s administration, Johnson highlighted the devastating resource drain that’s left women across the country without access to basic care and potentially life-saving screenings at local health centers.
“The majority of Black women live in states with abortion bans, and abortion bans have made pregnancy more dangerous. Defunding Planned Parenthood has impacted health centers all across this country, even in blue states where many of us live. That means defunding STI tests, access to contraception, and cancer screenings,” Johnson said.
The stakes feel particularly urgent for Black women, who face a maternal mortality rate three times higher than other groups. Johnson emphasized that politicians need to hear directly from Black families struggling to access the care they need.
“I can’t think of anything more horrific than Black women dying,” she said. “We’re hearing stories of women sent to parking lots to wait for sepsis to set in before they can get basic access to life-saving medical care. Black men talking about their partners being ignored. We have an incredible maternal mortality crisis that’s only getting worse. Every time the rest of the country gets impacted by care restrictions, we catch the worst version of that.”
DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 25: Planned Parenthood President Alexis McGill Johnson speaks onstage during The 2022 MAKERS Conference at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach on October 25, 2022 in Dana Point, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for The MAKERS Conference)
The numbers back up her concern. There’s been a 234% increase in maternal mortality for Black women in states with abortion bans. Johnson argues this isn’t simply about a medical procedure. It’s about the entire medical care system abandoning Black women at the moment they need it most.
“We need federal legislation to codify reproductive freedom, and we need to fight for a constitutional amendment years from now,” Johnson said.
Going into this midterm election, Johnson’s focus remains clear: remove the financial barriers that prevent women from getting screenings and treatment.
“We need comprehensive research that centers Black women’s lived experience. We need to ensure that Title X remains a strongly funded program so people in low-income communities can access contraception,” she continued. “We have to reimagine what reproductive health care and freedom look like, with our bodies and our lives at the center of that policy.”
Carla Jeffery‘s family is setting the record straight after the Disney Channel star’s passing, pushing back against online rumors and speculation surrounding her death at her California home on September 1 at age 33.
“She did not do drugs,” her family told TMZ, addressing unfounded claims circulating on social media. Her loved ones also confirmed that there was no foul play involved and that police are not investigating. While an official Carla Jeffery cause of death hasn’t been released yet, the family wanted to be clear about what didn’t happen—letting people know the real story matters.
Jeffery had previously opened up about living with epilepsy, according to the Cameron Boyce Foundation, though it remains unclear if the condition was connected to her passing. Like many public figures navigating health challenges, she carried her experiences with grace and vulnerability.
Her management company, Alexanders Talent, remembered her as “a beautiful, vibrant and incredibly talented woman” whose “radiant smile could light up any room.” The tribute spoke to her presence both on and off camera—the kind of spirit that leaves a lasting mark.
“Carla was more than a client; she was family,” the company shared in a statement.
Her brother, Carlon Jeffery, also shared what appeared to be one of his final messages to his sister: “I just want you to know how proud I am of you. You are the best sister a brother could ask for.” These words capture the bond they shared and the love surrounding her.
Jeffery’s impressive career spanned beloved shows including ZOMBIES, iCarly, Good Luck Charlie, Shake It Up and Curb Your Enthusiasm. She was a fixture in entertainment, bringing energy and talent to every role.
Black Hollywood showed up and showed out at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival. Toronto International Film Festival brought together some of the year’s most compelling work from independent filmmakers and A-list talent alike. Whether it’s intimate character studies, sweeping melodramas, or documentaries that excavate cultural memory, Toronto International Film Festival proved why it remains one of cinema’s most important gathering places. Here are the films making waves.
“Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother”
Mahershala Ali carries this action-drama with the kind of quiet intensity that makes you lean in. He plays Latif, a devoutly religious Houston hitman grappling with faith and fatherhood after his wife’s death. When he’s forced to shield his nephew from a ruthless cult leader played by John Cho, Latif’s entire moral framework gets tested. The film asks hard questions about protection, sacrifice, and what we’re willing to compromise on for family.
“Once Upon A Time In Harlem”
This documentary is something special. Originally shot in 1972 by legendary filmmaker William Greaves during an intimate four-hour cocktail party at Duke Ellington’s townhouse, the film captures musicians, artists, and activists in real conversation. They debate, reminisce, and reflect on the cultural legacy of the Harlem Renaissance. Fifty years after Greaves’ death, his son David completed and structured the footage, creating a living archive that feels both historical and immediate.
“The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives”
This Nigerian melodrama centers on Baba Segi, a wealthy patriarch with three wives and seven children whose carefully ordered world crumbles when he marries a fourth, younger wife named Bolanle. When she fails to conceive, the existing wives begin plotting against her, which sets off a cascade of betrayals and revelations. The film explores how power, fertility, and secrecy can corrode even the most established family structures.
“Misty Green”
Chris Rock wrote and directed this one, and Rosalind Eleazar delivers as Misty, an Emmy-winning actress whose career has stalled and whose life is imploding. She’s got seven days before eviction. As she fights to rebuild, she’s also protecting her bipolar brother while fielding a morally compromising offer from an old flame played by Adam Driver. It’s a film about self-sabotage, loyalty, and the cost of second chances in an industry that doesn’t forgive easily.
“Prima Facie”
Cynthia Erivo attends the premiere of “Prima Facie” during the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on September 13, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Jeremy Chan/Getty Images)
Cynthia Erivo plays Tessa Ensler, a London defense barrister who built her career defending men accused of sexual assault. Her faith in the legal system feels absolute until she’s sexually assaulted by a colleague. Suddenly she’s on the other side of the courtroom, experiencing firsthand the systemic injustice and victim-blaming she once witnessed from a distance. It’s a powerful examination of complicity and how hard it is to see a system’s flaws when you benefit from them.
“Clarissa”
David Oyelowo, Ayo Edebiri, Arie Esiri, Chuko Esiri and India Amarteifio at the premiere of “Clarissa” during the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival at Princess of Wales Theatre on September 11, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Based on Virginia Woolf’s 1925 novel “Mrs. Dalloway,” this adaptation transplants the story to modern-day Lagos. Sophie Okonedo is a society wife preparing to host a major party while reflecting on the path that brought her here. When her first love Peter, played by David Oyelowo, resurfaces, her carefully constructed life gets disrupted. The film explores shared history, privilege, and the regrets we carry across decades.
“Babies”
Zach Cherry and Issa Rae in “Babies” (2026 Toronto International Film Festival)
Anna Kendrick and Seth Rogen play Annie and Aaron, a long-married Los Angeles couple facing mounting pressure to have children. When Annie’s pregnant best friend Becky, played by Issa Rae, begins her own motherhood journey, she pushes Annie to confront what she really wants. Meanwhile, an easygoing dad gives Aaron an honest look at fatherhood’s highs and lows. It’s a smart comedy-drama that respects the complexity of choosing family on your own terms.
“The Julia Set”
Chloe Bailey and Chase Infiniti in “The Julia Set” (Getty Images)
Julia Fischer is a brilliant college math whiz who hides her talent to stay invisible. When she enters a relationship with a wealthy teaching assistant named Pascal, she begins sabotaging her own academic potential to protect his ego. Enter her best friend Erin, played by Chloe Bailey, who becomes the voice of reason as everything spirals. It’s a reminder of why we need friends who see us clearly.
“Darlene Love: I Know Where I’ve Been”
Produced by Taraji P. Henson, this documentary chronicles the six-decade career of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame icon Darlene Love. She rose from singing in a Los Angeles church choir to becoming one of Phil Spector’s most celebrated voices, though her contributions often went uncredited. The film documents her uncredited lead vocals on The Crystals’ 1962 classic “He’s a Rebel” and her lifelong fight against racial discrimination in the music industry. Bruce Springsteen, Cher, David Letterman, and Dionne Warwick appear to celebrate her legacy.
“Zjili: A Story of Sisterhood and The Burdens of Excess”
This film follows Zoya, an ambitious teenager who leaves her village to settle in Old Fadama, an Accra neighborhood wedged between the world’s largest secondhand clothing market and an e-waste dumpsite. There she forms an unexpected sisterhood with a young mother dreaming of opening a hair salon and a landlady carrying painful memories. Together, the three women navigate harsh urban realities while discovering how intergenerational bonds connect them across different struggles.
“Mr. Nelson, Did You Kill People?”
This film recounts the life of Vietnam veteran Allen Nelson, who joined the Marines at 18 escaping poverty. His military experience destroyed his belief in heroism and left him deeply traumatized. Decades later, after losing his wife, family, and home, he’s forced to confront memories he spent years suppressing. With help from a Veterans Affairs psychologist played by Geoffrey Rush, Nelson begins facing his past. Then a child asks him a question that stops him cold: “Mr. Nelson, did you kill people?” Have tissues ready.
“Love of Your Life”
Maya is a nurse living peacefully with her husband Charlie until tragedy upends everything. Grieving and seeking a fresh start, she travels to Portugal as a digital nomad, where she meets Felix, a charming British father mourning his own loss. As their connection helps Maya begin healing, she must decide whether it’s possible to find a second great love in one lifetime. Aaron Pierre brings depth and tenderness to a character learning how to open his heart again.
“The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd”
Wunmi Mosaku, William Jackson Harper and Devyn Tyler in “The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd” (Getty Images)
A creative writing teacher trapped in an abusive marriage takes a job at an Oklahoma maximum-security prison. There she forms a dangerous bond with Wilson Shedd, a charismatic death row inmate who manipulates her into aiding his escape. With help from her friend Gladys, played by Wunmi Mosaku, the teacher becomes entangled in a deadly jailbreak that puts an innocent Tulsa couple in mortal danger. This one will keep you on edge.
Murder for hire trial developments are unfolding in real time as federal prosecutors wrap up their case against Lil Durk. The Chicago rapper’s defense team is now presenting witnesses to challenge how jurors interpret some of the government’s most critical evidence—and they’re not holding back.
This murder for hire trial has captivated hip hop fans and legal observers alike. After prosecutors rested Thursday, Durk’s attorneys called witnesses who addressed an armed driver, a warning to “lay low,” and a text mentioning a wedding—all pieces of the prosecution’s narrative.
The first witness was Fabian “Big Country” Ford’s sister, who previously drove Durk. She testified that Ford also worked as a security guard and regularly carried a gun while transporting the rapper. That testimony gave jurors another reason Ford may have been armed—a detail that could shift how they view the evidence.
Next came Kevin Freeman, who worked with Durk through the rapper’s Neighborhood Heroes organization. “I’m the one that told Durk to lay low,” Freeman testified, claiming that the warning was about keeping Durk away from his children in case police arrived. “I didn’t want the kids to be traumatized,” said Freeman. It’s the kind of parental protection logic that resonates differently when you hear it straight from the source.
Durk’s talent agent, Jeremy Marcano, also testified about an August 2022 wedding invitation. He explained a text in evidence that read, “Tell Jay Congrats On The Wedding,” which appeared near another text prosecutors have cited as evidence of concealment. These details matter when you’re building a defense—context is everything in a courtroom.
Before resting their case, prosecutors called an FBI agent who described Durk’s 2024 arrest in Florida. The rapper has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Prosecutors accuse him of ordering and financing an attack targeting Quando Rondo that killed Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson. The trial continues to reveal layers of the alleged conspiracy, and how jurors interpret these witness accounts could determine the verdict.
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 26: As the U.S. Capitol is seen in the background, a Black man passes by Black Voters Matter’s “Freedom Ride for Voting Rights” bus during a “Rally for D.C. Statehood” at the National Mall June 26, 2021 in Washington, DC. The “Freedom Ride for Voting Rights” bus tour, also known as the “Blackest Bus in America,” has been traveling through cities in key southern states since June 18 as a “national education and outreach campaign to increase support for voting rights legislation, advocate for DC statehood, and build Black voting power.” This year is the 60th anniversary of the launch of the original Freedom Rides from Washington, D.C. throughout the South to challenge segregation in busing and public facilities. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)
National Black Voter Day arrives this Friday, Sept. 18, as a critical checkpoint before midterm elections. It’s a moment designed to mobilize Black voters, but also to surface the issues that could affect ballot access itself. This year, those concerns include redistricting battles, ongoing challenges to mail-in voting, and questions about federal law enforcement presence at polling places.
The day itself, observed annually on Sept. 18, was launched in 2020 to encourage Black voters to register, plan their voting strategy, and understand the election process. The NAACP and other voting-rights organizations use this platform to remind people to verify their registration and know the specific rules governing their state’s ballots. With National Black Voter Day now established as an annual touchstone, the focus remains on preparation and awareness as voting procedures continue to shift.
With 45 days until the midterms, here’s what Black voters should understand before heading to the polls.
The Redistricting Question
Congressional maps are reshaping voter power this year in ways that could directly impact Black representation. New maps have been adopted or challenged across multiple states, redrawing district boundaries and, in some cases, splintering communities that historically voted as a bloc.
A report by Protect Democracy found that nearly 35 million Americans have been placed into new House districts through mid-decade redistricting. Voting-rights advocates have flagged particular concerns about how these boundary changes could erode Black political representation and dilute voting power in communities that have fought hard for it.
Mail-In Voting Remains Contested
Mail-in voting continues to face federal pressure. In March, President Donald Trump issued an executive order imposing new federal requirements on mail ballots, a move that has faced legal challenges from states and civil-rights organizations. The NAACP and other voting-rights groups have argued that these proposed rules could interfere with valid ballots and create barriers for voters who depend on mail-in options.
The legal landscape keeps shifting. The Supreme Court recently declined to block the administration’s mail-voting effort at an earlier stage of litigation, but a separate federal court injunction continues to block the Postal Service from implementing key portions of its proposed rules. The practical implication: voters should verify their state’s current absentee and mail-ballot requirements, as they may differ from previous election cycles.
Federal Agents at the Polls
FBI Director Kash Patel told lawmakers that the bureau would monitor the midterms through its field offices but stopped short of committing to keep federal agents away from polling places. Election officials across the country are now preparing for possible federal involvement while emphasizing that elections remain primarily state and local operations.
For Black voters, the practical takeaway is clear: know the landscape where you vote. Check your registration status, confirm your district and polling location, understand early and mail-voting deadlines, and verify what identification or documentation your state requires. National Black Voter Day is ultimately about preparation in the face of ongoing uncertainty around voting access and administration.
As election rules continue to be challenged and redrawn, knowing the mechanics of how and where to cast a ballot may matter just as much as knowing what’s on it.
The Federal Reserve just made borrowing more expensive. On Wednesday, the central bank raised its benchmark interest rate from 3.75% to 4.00%, marking the first official hike since summer 2023. For homebuyers, car shoppers, and anyone carrying credit card debt, that means higher monthly payments. For savers, though, there’s a silver lining: their cash is about to earn noticeably more. The move comes as inflation remains stubbornly elevated, and officials believe cooling spending is the path forward.
The Federal Reserve doesn’t make these decisions lightly. The Federal Open Market Committee voted unanimously, 12-0, to approve the increase. Chair Kevin Warsh laid out the reasoning at a Wednesday news conference: inflation is too high, it’s stayed too high for too long, and the central bank needs confidence that prices are genuinely moving back toward its target. Soaring oil prices tied to Middle East tensions added weight to the decision.
The mechanics are straightforward but consequential. Higher borrowing costs slow consumer and business spending. When fewer people buy homes and cars, demand drops. When demand falls, prices ease. That’s the theory, anyway.
For those shopping in the housing market or eyeing a new appliance, the timing stings. Monthly mortgage payments just climbed. Variable-rate credit card holders will see their annual percentage rates tick up by roughly a quarter point over the next billing cycles, according to NBC New York. That’s real money for households already stretched thin by cost-of-living pressures and relying on credit just to manage.
Traders work the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on September 16, 2026, as investors await the Federal Reserve’s decision. Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images.
The auto market is already brutal. According to Edmunds, average loan rates hit 7% for new cars and 10.6% for used vehicles last month. The typical monthly payment sits around $765. This rate hike pushes those numbers higher still.
But there is a bright side for savers. Interest rates on high-yield savings accounts and certificates of deposit should climb in response to the Fed’s move. For those with money parked in these vehicles, the payouts will grow.
Warsh made an interesting argument about who benefits most from this decision: lower-income Americans. They suffer most under inflation, he noted, because higher prices eat up a larger share of their budgets. Stable prices matter more to people with less cushion. “The least well off are the ones that have the most to gain from stable prices,” Warsh said at the conference. “The decision we made today was the right decision to deliver on the remit that Congress gave us to ensure stable prices.”
The rate-hike cycle may not be finished. NBC News reports another increase could be on the table before year’s end, depending on how inflation data evolves. For now, the message from the Fed is clear: price stability matters enough to make borrowing hurt in the short term.
If you’ve ever wondered how you could own a piece of Lenny Kravitz, Mattel just handed you the answer. The legendary rockstar has joined an extremely exclusive club, becoming only the second man ever to get his own official Ken doll. And honestly, the choice feels overdue.
Lenny Kravitz is now part of Barbie’s Signature Kenbassadors Collection, a series celebrating men who’ve shaped culture in meaningful ways. He follows LeBron James, who received the honor in April 2025. Kravitz’s collector’s doll, priced at $70, arrives as Ken marks its 65th anniversary.
The details matter here. Mattel didn’t just slap Kravitz’s name on a doll and call it a day. The outfit is a direct lift from his tour wardrobe—vintage 60s sunglasses, custom belt with rivets and holes, layered tops, and boots all replicated down to the stitch. His signature mother’s necklace, a piece that belonged to his late mother Roxie Roker, made the cut too.
Jason Tidwell
Speaking to PEOPLE about the milestone, Kravitz reflected on childhood nostalgia. “As a kid growing up with all my little cousins, there were Barbies everywhere, GI Joes and Kens and the whole thing. It just makes you think, ‘When I was a kid, did I ever think I would have my own figure? No.'”
Nathan Baynard, Vice President and Head of Barbie at Mattel, explained why Kravitz earned the distinction. “From his genre-defying music to his fearless approach to personal style, Lenny uses his platform to champion individuality while empowering others to do the same,” Baynard said. “We’re proud to honor his lasting influence on style and culture through this doll, giving fans a new way to celebrate an artist whose authenticity continues to inspire generations.”
It’s the kind of recognition that feels right. Kravitz has spent decades existing outside conventional boxes—blending rock, funk, soul, and reggae while maintaining a visual aesthetic that’s instantly recognizable. A Ken doll in his image isn’t just merchandise. It’s validation that style, authenticity, and artistic vision matter enough to memorialize in toy form.
A$AP Rocky turned his Copenhagen concert into a family affair Friday night, bringing Rihanna and their 3-year-old son Riot onstage in the middle of his set at Royal Arena during the European leg of his “Don’t Be Dumb” World Tour. The surprise cameo happened while Rocky performed “Lord Pretty Flacko Jodye 2,” and what unfolded was a genuinely intimate moment amid the pyrotechnics and roaring crowd. A$AP Rocky held space for his family right there on stage, letting Riot experience the energy of thousands of fans in real time. In the footage, Rihanna cradles Riot as flames shoot into the air. Eventually the little one finds his footing and stands between both parents, soaking in a view most fans spend serious money trying to get. Rocky keeps performing, unbothered, letting his son be part of the moment rather than hidden away. The best part comes near the end. Riot gets a turn holding Dad’s megaphone, and when the moment wraps, they seal it with a fist bump. It’s the kind of small gesture that probably means everything to a kid who’ll remember his first stage time for the rest of his life. This marks a rare public appearance for one of their three kids. Rocky and Rihanna are parents to sons RZA and Riot, plus daughter Rocki, who just turned one earlier this month. The family typically keeps their children out of the spotlight, so seeing them onstage together felt like a genuine celebration rather than a calculated moment. Friday night in Copenhagen, though, Riot got his shot.
