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Michael Brown, a 52-year-old Detroit restaurateur and nightlife entrepreneur known as "Mike B.," was fatally shot outside a west side bar early Saturday, with two others injured in the incident. Brown had built a decades-long career in Detroit's entertainment scene, starting as a party promoter and club owner before transitioning to successful restaurant ventures including Sloppy Chops and Sloppy Crab. His establishments became important gathering places for Detroit's Black community during a period of citywide revitalization, combining upscale dining with the nightclub atmosphere he perfected over years. The shooting remains unsolved as Detroit Police seek information from the public, while the community mourns a beloved figure known for mentoring young promoters, supporting local artists, and creating opportunities for others.

Artificial intelligence and algorithmic systems now dominate mortgage lending decisions, presenting new forms of discrimination that mirror historical redlining practices but without explicit intent. These automated systems learn from historical data that reflects decades of systematic exclusion of Black Americans from homeownership opportunities, causing algorithms to perpetuate racial disparities through seemingly neutral factors like zip codes and credit histories. Black borrowers, even those who are well-qualified professionals, often face higher interest rates, stricter requirements, and reduced access to prime mortgage products due to these opaque automated decisions. Dr. Kellum argues that without deliberate interventions including transparency requirements, alternative credit data, updated consumer education, and modernized fair-lending enforcement, another generation of Black families will be locked out of wealth-building through homeownership. # Key Takeaways

Employees of Hutch's Jewelry in Oak Park used social media to address concerns about the store's future following the recent death of their prominent jeweler, Darrel "D. Hasty" Hasty, who passed away unexpectedly in late February at age 33. The 33-year-old had become the public face of the business through his popular TikTok presence after the store's original owner, Dan Hutchinson, was murdered in a hire-for-hire scheme in 2022. Despite these consecutive tragedies, the jewelry store had experienced significant growth, including partnerships with the Detroit Pistons and attracting celebrity clients like Rick Ross and E-40. Employees AJ Williams and Jay Graves posted a video thanking supporters and confirming the store will continue operating, though specific plans for moving forward remain unclear.

Detroit has launched a new program to repair and replace deteriorating seawalls for low-income homeowners in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood, which experiences recurring flooding from the Detroit River and its connecting canals. The $1 million pilot initiative, funded by a Michigan Economic Development Corporation grant, aims to fix seawalls for 15-20 properties as a test case for broader flood mitigation efforts. This program supports a larger goal of removing the neighborhood from FEMA's flood hazard designation, which currently requires expensive flood insurance and limits federally funded home improvements. The seawall repairs are part of decades-long efforts to address water damage in the waterfront community, building on a 2022 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study that recommended strengthening shorelines to reduce flooding.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has died at age 86 after Israeli strikes targeted his residential compound, marking a pivotal moment for the Islamic Republic after 36 years of his hardline rule. While Iranian officials initially denied reports of his death, state television eventually confirmed he had been killed, announcing a 40-day mourning period as pro-government memorial events began. The regime had been preparing for succession possibilities since last year's conflict when Israel killed numerous Iranian officials and made clear the Ayatollah was a potential target. Videos show contrasting reactions across Iran, with some mourning while others celebrated in the streets, hoping his death signals the end of the Islamic regime. The focus now shifts to his successor and whether new leadership might alter the direction of the embattled republic amid ongoing war.

The United States and Israel conducted joint military strikes across Iran, which President Trump labeled "major combat operations," resulting in the reported death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as confirmed by Iranian state television. The attacks, described as preemptive by Israel, targeted Iran's missile capabilities, naval assets, and nuclear infrastructure following weeks of tensions over Iran's nuclear program. Iran's Revolutionary Guard responded by launching retaliatory strikes against US bases and allied nations throughout the Middle East under "Operation Truthful Promise 4." The international community has reacted with a mixture of support, condemnation, and calls for de-escalation, with the UN Secretary General warning of grave consequences for regional stability and civilian populations.

President Trump has launched a major military operation against Iran, killing the country's supreme leader in an air campaign aimed at eliminating Iran's nuclear program and achieving regime change. This represents a significant gamble that could either become a historic victory or seriously damage Trump's presidency and his party's electoral prospects in the upcoming midterm elections. The strike has triggered Iranian retaliation against US allies across the region and sparked fierce political opposition from Democrats who accuse Trump of launching an unauthorized war without congressional approval or clear strategy. Trump's decision contradicts his campaign promises to end "forever wars" and has created uncertainty about whether the operation can succeed through air power alone or will require a prolonged ground commitment that analysts warn could become a regional quagmire.

The United States, in coordination with Israel, launched a large-scale military assault on Iran early Saturday morning that President Trump labeled "major combat operations," resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and hundreds of Iranian casualties across the country. Trump justified the strikes by citing Iran's refusal to abandon its nuclear program, historical grievances including the 1979 embassy takeover, and alleged threats from missile development, though this came just days after failed nuclear negotiations with Tehran. Iran retaliated by launching counterattacks against US military installations and Israel throughout the Middle East region. The military action has sparked intense partisan division in Washington, with Republicans largely supporting the operation while Democrats condemned it as an illegal war launched without proper congressional authorization.

Iran has launched a missile and drone attack on the US Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, exposing vulnerabilities in American air defenses throughout the Middle East region. While the US has deployed advanced air defense systems like THAAD and Patriot batteries, along with destroyers and over 100 fighter jets, experts warn these resources may be insufficient to counter Iran's estimated 2,000 ballistic missiles and numerous attack drones if Iran launches a full-scale assault. Former military officials suggest that Iran's dispersed weapons capabilities and large arsenal could eventually overwhelm US defenses, though some analysts believe Iran's measured response indicates reluctance to trigger wider escalation. The situation highlights ongoing challenges similar to those faced in Ukraine, where defending against coordinated drone and missile attacks remains extremely difficult even with substantial air defense resources.

President Trump announced military strikes against Iran in the early morning hours of Saturday, describing the action as a "massive and ongoing operation" aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and calling for regime change in Tehran. Trump justified the strikes by citing "imminent threats" to American interests, though his claims about Iran's weapons capabilities contradict US intelligence assessments, and the timing appears strategically motivated by Iran's perceived domestic weakness following regional conflicts and protest crackdowns. The operation, dubbed Epic Fury, was launched without congressional authorization and while mediated negotiations were ongoing, with Oman claiming a breakthrough was near. Trump directly appealed to Iranian citizens to overthrow their government while offering immunity to military and police forces who surrender, gambling that the outcome will resemble the recent Venezuelan regime change despite warnings that Iran has succession plans in place. # Key Takeaways

This article examines how historical exploitation of Black women in medicine, particularly the unconsented experimentation on enslaved women like Anarcha Westcott, continues to manifest in today's maternal health disparities. While Michigan has achieved record-low infant mortality rates, Black infants still die at nearly three times the rate of white infants, and Black mothers nationally face maternal mortality rates over three times higher than white women. The piece honors both the victims of medical abuse and pioneering Black midwives who built dignified care systems in their communities. The Southeast Michigan Perinatal Quality Improvement Coalition (SEMPQIC) is working to address these inequities through hospital partnerships, doula access, and equity training programs.

Michigan State University Trustee Dr. Rema Reynolds Vassar describes being publicly confronted by MSU's president at what she thought was a social event after she wrote an op-ed criticizing the university's dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. She argues that the university has significantly reduced funding for student organizations supporting underrepresented groups and eliminated key equity positions while racial incidents on campus have increased. Vassar contends that Black women in leadership face retaliation when they challenge institutional power, noting that she was previously censured in 2023 for demanding release of files related to the Larry Nassar scandal. She maintains that her constitutional duty as an elected trustee is to provide oversight and advocate for students rather than protect administrators, even if this casts her as a "villain" in the administration's narrative. # Key Takeaways

Detroit's poet laureate jessica Care moore is organizing a haiku-themed open mic event on March 13th (313 Day) to celebrate the city through poetry and creative expression. Participants will share Detroit-themed haikus that can be recorded in an audio booth as part of a larger "Detroit Love" project. Following the open mic night, moore will lead a free community poetry workshop on March 15th where the Moore Art House will travel throughout different Detroit neighborhoods collecting haikus from residents. This initiative represents the beginning of a year-long citywide project that will showcase Detroit voices through public art, recorded works, and live performances.

Iran has launched widespread retaliatory missile strikes across the Middle East following what it describes as a major attack by the United States and Israel that began Saturday morning. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps targeted American military installations in multiple countries, including a US naval base in Bahrain where black smoke was observed, and the al-Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest American military facility in the region. Several Gulf nations with US military presence, including the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, reported intercepting Iranian missiles, though debris from the attack killed one civilian in Abu Dhabi. Israel also detected incoming Iranian missiles and sounded sirens nationwide as the conflict escalated regionally.

The United States and Israel have jointly launched major military strikes against Iran, targeting multiple cities including Tehran, with the stated objective of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. President Trump described the operations as "massive and ongoing" and called on Iranian forces to surrender while encouraging Iranian citizens to overthrow their government. Iran retaliated by launching missiles toward Israel and US military facilities in Bahrain and Qatar, prompting regional airspace closures and flight suspensions. The attacks have drawn international concern, with the UN calling for de-escalation while Russia condemned the strikes as reckless, though some Western allies like Australia expressed support for preventing Iranian nuclear capabilities.

Following the deaths of two U.S. citizens at the hands of ICE agents in Minnesota, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced in February 2026 that Minneapolis-based agents would receive body-worn cameras. A public policy researcher has examined ICE's body camera policy and compared it to state and local policies to determine whether it can deliver the transparency and accountability being demanded by critics. The analysis reveals that ICE's current policy has significant gaps, including optional recording during vehicle pursuits and detainee transportation, prohibition of recording inside detention facilities, and allowance for facial recognition on recorded footage. The effectiveness of body cameras as accountability tools depends heavily on mandatory activation requirements, continuous recording protocols, restrictions on facial recognition technology, and robust enforcement mechanisms with consequences for policy violations.

David Stern, a German businessman fluent in Mandarin, served as a largely hidden intermediary between Jeffrey Epstein and Prince Andrew for nearly a decade, facilitating connections and business opportunities in China. Recently released U.S. Department of Justice documents containing over 7,000 references to Stern reveal how he was introduced to the Yorks by Epstein around 2010, subsequently helping with Sarah Ferguson's debts while making derogatory comments about women in his correspondence. Stern leveraged his Chinese connections to gain access to royal circles, becoming a director of Prince Andrew's Pitch@Palace competition in 2016 and joining the board of a royal charity, all while maintaining contact with the convicted sex offender Epstein. The emails show Stern proposing various business schemes involving China, accompanying Prince Andrew on official trips, and acting as a go-between even after the prince publicly distanced himself from Epstein following the 2008 conviction.

A 56-year-old nearly-blind refugee from Myanmar who spoke no English died in upstate New York after US Customs and Border Protection released him at a coffee shop in freezing temperatures. Nurul Amin Shah Alam was dropped off at the location without his family being notified, after spending nearly a year in custody on charges stemming from a misunderstanding with police involving a curtain rod he used as a walking stick. Federal authorities released him because, having entered the US legally as a refugee, he could not be deported, but his body was found days later approximately six miles from the drop-off point. Buffalo's mayor has sharply criticized federal immigration agencies for lacking proper protocols for handling vulnerable individuals, while local and state officials are calling for investigations into the death.

Former President Bill Clinton testified before the House Oversight Committee in New York regarding his connection to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, stating he was unaware of any crimes and would have reported Epstein had he known. Clinton and his wife Hillary, who testified the day before, initially resisted congressional subpoenas but ultimately cooperated to avoid contempt proceedings. During questioning, Clinton denied knowing a woman photographed with him in a hot tub and claimed no sexual contact, while also discussing President Trump's relationship with Epstein without providing incriminating information. The Republican committee chairman called the deposition productive and historic, marking Clinton as the seventh sitting or former president to testify before Congress, while Democrats used the hearing to call for Trump to also testify. # Key Takeaways

In 1951, doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital took cervical cancer cells from Henrietta Lacks, a 31-year-old Black woman from Baltimore, without her knowledge or permission, and these cells became "immortal" by continuing to reproduce indefinitely in laboratories. These HeLa cells were distributed worldwide and contributed to major medical breakthroughs including the polio vaccine and advances in HIV and cancer research, while Lacks died from cancer months after her diagnosis and her family received no compensation. Seventy years later, Lacks' family has now reached a confidential settlement with Swiss biotech company Novartis, marking their second legal victory after previously settling with Thermo Fisher Scientific. The family's attorney characterized the agreement as achieving some measure of justice and dignity for Lacks, whose cells generated billions in profits for pharmaceutical companies. # Key Takeaways

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed charges against 30 additional individuals connected to a January 18th protest at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where demonstrators disrupted a service while opposing ICE activities and protesting the fatal shooting of Renee Good by immigration enforcement. These new arrests bring the total number charged to 39 people, including former CNN journalist Don Lemon, all facing federal charges for conspiracy against religious freedom and interfering with worship rights. Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the government's commitment to protecting houses of worship, while defendants claim they were engaged in legitimate protest journalism and activism. The protest occurred amid heightened tensions following Good's death during immigration enforcement operations, which have since concluded in Minnesota.

Target announced it will eliminate breakfast cereals containing synthetic colors from its stores by the end of May, joining a growing retail movement against ultra-processed foods. This decision comes amid mounting pressure from the Trump administration's health initiatives, particularly from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again campaign, as well as shifting consumer preferences toward healthier products. While other retailers like Walmart have set similar goals with longer timelines extending to 2027, Target's spring deadline positions it ahead of competitors and even some major food manufacturers. The move reflects a broader industry shift, with companies like General Mills, Kraft Heinz, and Conagra also committing to remove artificial dyes, though many have extended timelines stretching several years into the future.

Following unsuccessful nuclear negotiations in Geneva, President Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Iran's position while stating he has not decided on military action, though he acknowledged force may sometimes be necessary. Multiple countries, including the UK, China, India, Canada, and the US itself, have urged their citizens to leave Iran and Israel due to escalating tensions and the possibility of military strikes. The talks, mediated by Oman, made some progress according to participants, with Iran reportedly agreeing never to stockpile enriched uranium, though significant differences remain between the two sides. The US has deployed substantial military forces to the Middle East while international nuclear inspectors report being denied access to Iranian enrichment sites since American bombing raids in June, raising concerns about verification of Iran's nuclear activities. # Key Takeaways

During the British Academy Film Awards ceremony on Sunday, a racial slur was audibly broadcast while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were presenting an award. The outburst came from John Davidson, a Tourette syndrome advocate attending the event, who later expressed deep regret and clarified that his involuntary verbal tics do not reflect his personal beliefs. Both BAFTA and the BBC issued apologies—BAFTA for the offensive language itself and the BBC for failing to edit it out before their delayed broadcast. Advocacy organizations emphasized that Tourette syndrome causes involuntary tics that are not controllable or intentional, with coprolalia (involuntary swearing) affecting approximately 10-15% of people with the condition.

Boston-based Black artist George Freeman has created an art exhibition called "Freedom Fighters" that honors notable African American historical figures through a distinctive visual style he describes as street art on canvas. His work features prominent civil rights leaders and activists including Ella Baker, Martin Luther King Jr., Shirley Chisholm, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Harriet Tubman, portrayed with exaggerated comic book-style features to present them as superhero-like figures. Freeman was motivated to create this collection due to concerns about historical narratives being challenged or erased in today's social climate, believing these stories provide crucial lessons for addressing contemporary issues. The exhibition will be displayed publicly at The Muse on Blue Avenue in Dorchester on February 28, with a portion of art sales being contributed back to the community. # Key Takeaways

Baltimore food designer Krystal Mack is converting her 5,000-square-foot backyard in the historic Wilson Park neighborhood into a community garden to address local food insecurity. Through her unique practice of using food as artistic expression, she creates installations and projects that examine difficult histories, including slavery and systemic racism, while promoting healing and social dialogue. Her work has earned her national recognition, making her the first U.S. Artist Fellowship recipient honored specifically for food-based artistry. Despite facing challenges as a self-taught Black woman in her field, Mack continues developing projects that connect Baltimore's communities to their cultural heritage while addressing contemporary issues like domestic violence and food access. # Key Takeaways

In Walton County, Georgia, a roadside marker commemorates the Moore's Ford Bridge lynching of July 25, 1946, considered the last mass lynching in the United States. Four African Americans—George and Mae Dorsey, and Roger and Dorothy Malcolm (who was seven months pregnant)—were murdered by a mob of approximately 30 white men after being stopped while traveling near the Apalachee River. The victims were sharecroppers who had encouraged Black voter participation in Georgia's all-white primary that year. Despite four major investigations by the FBI and Georgia Bureau of Investigation over 81 years, no one has ever been convicted, though sealed 1946 federal grand jury testimony containing statements from over 100 witnesses may hold crucial information that advocates continue seeking to access.

The U.S. Census Bureau has released statistics in recognition of Black History Month, which originated as Black History Week in 1926 when historian Carter G. Woodson established it during February's second week to honor Abraham Lincoln's and Frederick Douglass's birthdays. The observance was expanded to a full month in 1976 during America's bicentennial, with President Gerald Ford encouraging Americans to acknowledge African American achievements across all fields. The Census Bureau's data reveals that over 51 million people identify as Black or African American in the United States as of 2024. Additional statistics highlight educational attainment, workforce participation in professional occupations, business ownership, and military service among the Black community. # Key Takeaways

Kenya's Kakuma refugee camp, established in 1992 and home to 300,000 refugees from countries including South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Congo, is being transformed into a municipality as part of an effort to reduce long-term aid dependency. The plan aims to help refugees become self-sufficient through entrepreneurship, though they face significant obstacles including restricted citizenship rights, limited formal employment opportunities, and difficulty accessing affordable credit with typical loan interest rates around 20%. Organizations like Inkomoko are providing financial training and lower-interest loans to refugee entrepreneurs, enabling some success stories like a tailoring business owner who employs 26 people and a retail chain operator. However, experts warn that without addressing mobility restrictions and access to job markets elsewhere in Kenya, the transformation will have limited impact for most refugees.

The federal 8(a) Business Development Program, designed to help disadvantaged small businesses access federal contracts, is facing significant rollbacks amid broader political attacks on diversity initiatives. While Black-owned businesses represent nearly a quarter of eligible firms, they receive only a small fraction of federal contract dollars, making 8(a) their primary entry point into government contracting. The Small Business Administration has dramatically reduced new admissions to the program in 2025 and suspended over 1,000 active participants, raising concerns that enforcement is being used as justification for elimination rather than improvement. Critics claim the program is vulnerable to abuse, but supporters argue that dismantling it would further consolidate contracts among established firms and harm small businesses that depend on federal work. The author contends that policymakers should focus on reforming and strengthening the program rather than abandoning one of the few tools available to expand economic opportunity for disadvantaged entrepreneurs.