Steeped in Controversy: K Britt’s Afternoon Tea Pours Over Politics, Storms, and Social Justice
- Karen Brittingham-Edmond
- 2 days ago
- 8 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
21 November 2025
Variety News
Special Election Set for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District
Trenton NJ - On 21 November 2025, Governor Phil Murphy announced a writ of election to fill the vacancy in New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, created by the resignation of Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill. The special primary election is scheduled for 5 February 2026, with early voting beginning on 29 January and continuing through 3 February. Subsequently, a special general election will take place on 16 April 2026, featuring nine days of early voting from 6 April to 14 April.
Candidates Emerge to Succeed Sherrill
Sherrill, who has represented the district, was required to resign as part of her transition to the governorship, effective 20 January. A variety of candidates have already declared their intentions to run for her seat, including notable figures such as New Jersey Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way and former Congressman Tom Malinowski. Independent candidates must gather 250 valid signatures to qualify for the general election ballot, and the list of potential candidates continues to grow as the election dates approach. To learn more, please check out Eric Kiefer's Middletown Patch titled:
Thanksgiving Travel Plans at Risk Due to Potential Storm in NJ
As the busiest travel season approaches, a storm system on its way through New Jersey may disrupt plans, according to an early Thanksgiving forecast from AccuWeather. Though the situation isn't fully determined yet, meteorologists warn that the storm, moving northeast across the country, could bring rainy, slick road conditions the day before the holiday. The storm's exact path will determine its impact. For more details, check out Veronica Flescher's weather report from the Middletown Patch. Storms Threaten Thanksgiving Travel: See Early NJ Forecast | Across New Jersey, NJ Patch
Shocking Allegations Emerge Against
New Jersey Organ Donation Organization
New Providence, NJ - In a startling revelation that has rocked the medical community and grieving families alike, senior leaders of the New Jersey Organ and Tissue Sharing Network (NJTO) are accused of heinous misconduct involving organ donations. A report from whistleblowers, shared by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means, details serious allegations against Carolyn Welsh, NJTO's President and CEO, claiming that she directed medical staff to extract organs from individuals who were still alive. Furthermore, the report asserts that the organization systematically discarded hundreds of viable organs while falsifying records to obscure these activities, all in blatant violation of HIPAA and international healthcare laws.
NJTO, one of the largest organ donation organizations in New Jersey, has touted record-breaking statistics in recent years, including 743 lifesaving transplants in 2024 alone. However, according to whistleblower testimonies, this surge in donor numbers may have been inflated through unethical practices. Allegations suggest that the organization disposed of 100 pancreata without any intention to use them for research, and that they misled families into believing their loved ones consented to organ removal when, in reality, no consent was documented. Such actions not only breach public trust but also raise urgent questions about the integrity of organ donation processes in New Jersey.
The Committee's investigation further reveals that NJTO allegedly exploited its partnerships with entities such as the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. Records that should have provided clear donor statuses were reportedly redacted, misleading families into thinking authorization for organ removal was in place. As the Committee prepares to probe deeper into these grave allegations, the NJTO stands under intense scrutiny, with the potential for significant legal ramifications looming on the horizon. The implications of these accusations could be far-reaching, challenging the very foundation of organ donation ethics and practices across the state.
To learn more about this startling report please click Eddie Callahan of the Middletown Patch article on 20 November 2025 titled: NJ Group Tried To Harvest Organs From Live Patient, Misled Grieving Families, Whistleblowers Say | Across New Jersey, NJ Patch
Systematic Disadvantage: The Fallout of Philadelphia's
Decision to Abolish DEI Programs
Echo News TV LLC expresses grave concern about the City of Philadelphia's recent decision to end its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) standards for government contracts. This policy shift, led by Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration, is framed as a compliance measure in light of a federal mandate issued during the Trump administration that prohibits the consideration of race and gender in awarding contracts. The consequence of this action undercuts decades of progress toward equal opportunity for historically marginalized groups, particularly Black American citizens, who stand to be disproportionately disadvantaged by this regressive measure.
Solicitor Renee Garcia, the city's top attorney, justified the cessation of DEI goals by stating that adhering to such practices would "promote, reinforce or perpetuate discrimination." This rationale echoes the Trump administration's broader campaign that has repeatedly articulated the disregard for race and gender in public contracts as a means of preventing discrimination. Such rhetoric reveals an alarming tendency to conflate equity with bias, thereby perpetuating a form of white supremacist propaganda. The insinuation that initiatives previously designed to uplift minority-owned businesses constitute discrimination is not only misleading but increasingly appears as an affront to justice and equality.
The elimination of the established goal, which mandated that 35% of contracts be awarded to minority, women, or disabled-owned enterprises, threatens to strip away essential support for disadvantaged business owners. The removal of these standards not only jeopardizes economic participation for those who have historically faced barriers but also results in an estimated annual loss of $370 million for these firms, perpetuating economic disparities that have persisted for generations. This deliberate dismantling of equitable opportunities signals a troubling trajectory towards systemic inequity, particularly as the city's demographic makeup is predominantly Black and Brown.
The Mayor's avoidance of a confrontation with the Trump administration is framed as necessary to safeguard the city's budget. Still, one must question the ethical implications of prioritizing financial gains over principles of equity and fairness. By complying with policies that may systematically disadvantage citizens of color, Mayor Parker's administration may be complicit in furthering an agenda that endorses preferential treatment for White American citizens. Therefore, Philadelphia's new direction in public procurement warrants a critical reassessment regarding its alignment with democratic values and the principles of justice that ought to guide city governance. ACLU slams Mayor Parker for invoking the organization’s name amid ‘DEI rollback’
Allegations of Racial Discrimination Surface in Westport Nightlife
Westport, Kansas - In a recent report by The Kansas City Defender, it is alleged that an all-white governing board is exerting control over Kansas City's Westport entertainment district through a secretive "Good Neighbor Agreement." According to court filings, this twelve-member board of the Westport Community Improvement District (CID) enforces compliance from prospective business owners, threatening to sabotage those who resist their demands. A federal civil rights and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) case has been initiated, centering around plaintiff Christopher Lee, a Black restaurateur whose vision for a Westport venue was reportedly undermined by these practices.
U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark recently allowed additional defendants to be included in the lawsuit, finding sufficient evidence of a coordinated effort to exclude Black-owned businesses from the district. Text messages cited in the complaint highlight a conspiracy among property owners to eliminate so-called "problematic" business owners and patrons, underscoring the serious implications of these allegations. While the defendants deny any wrongdoing, the case is set to advance in court, with the judge acknowledging the potential for deeper scrutiny into the practices at play in Westport. To learn more, please click the link.
Ranlo's Former Mayor Faces Backlash Over Disturbing
Racist Remarks from the North Carolina NAACP
Ranlo, NC - A shocking incident has unfolded in Ranlo, North Carolina, where former Mayor Ronnie Black is under intense scrutiny following racially charged comments made at a town board meeting on 13 November. According to a report from Bonnie Zhang titled "Ranlo mayor accused of promoting 'racist ideology' after town board meeting by NC NAACP," tensions rose as Black discussed his electoral defeat to Mayor-Elect Corey Creech, an African American candidate.
In a disturbing remark, Black expressed disappointment over the election results, stating, "I wanted it to be an individual of a superior race." This statement has drawn fierce condemnation from the NAACP North Carolina State Conference, which characterized his words as "harmful, unacceptable, and well beneath the standards of leadership that the people of Ranlo deserve."
Deborah D. Maxwell, President of NAACP NC, emphasized that elected officials must represent the entire community and not propagate racist ideologies or the erroneous and dangerous concept of racial superiority. She affirmed, "This rhetoric is divisive and deeply harmful. It has no place in Ranlo, in Gaston County, or anywhere in North Carolina."
In an apparent attempt to clarify his comments, Black later stated, "And I'm glad to see that we did get one of the superior races still, and that's the human race, the only race." Despite this retraction, the damage was done.
Da'Quan Love, the Executive Director of NAACP NC, has called for Black's immediate resignation. He condemned Black's earlier remark as a "direct expression of white supremacist ideology," asserting that no leader who invokes the myth of racial superiority can effectively serve a diverse community.
In the election, "Black garnered about 42% of the votes, while Creech received 58%." In the wake of these events, Maxwell expressed hope for collaboration with the newly elected Mayor to foster a more inclusive, equitable, and respectful future for Ranlo, stating, "This moment calls for leadership grounded in dignity and shared humanity." So he now says.
Systematic Disadvantage: The Fallout of Philadelphia's
Decision to Abolish DEI Programs
Philadelphia, PA - Echo News TV LLC expresses grave concern about the City of Philadelphia's recent decision to end its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) standards for government contracts. This policy shift, led by Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration, is framed as a compliance measure in light of a federal mandate issued during the Trump administration that prohibits the consideration of race and gender in awarding contracts. The consequence of this action undercuts decades of progress toward equal opportunity for historically marginalized groups, particularly Black American citizens, who stand to be disproportionately disadvantaged by this regressive measure.
Solicitor Renee Garcia, the city's top attorney, justified the cessation of DEI goals by stating that adhering to such practices would "promote, reinforce or perpetuate discrimination." This rationale echoes the Trump administration's broader campaign that has repeatedly articulated the disregard for race and gender in public contracts as a means of preventing discrimination. Such rhetoric reveals an alarming tendency to conflate equity with bias, thereby perpetuating a form of white supremacist propaganda. The insinuation that initiatives previously designed to uplift minority-owned businesses constitute discrimination is not only misleading but increasingly appears as an affront to justice and equality.
The elimination of the established goal, which mandated that 35% of contracts be awarded to minority, women, or disabled-owned enterprises, threatens to strip away essential support for disadvantaged business owners. The removal of these standards not only jeopardizes economic participation for those who have historically faced barriers but also results in an estimated annual loss of $370 million for these firms, perpetuating economic disparities that have persisted for generations. This deliberate dismantling of equitable opportunities signals a troubling trajectory towards systemic inequity, particularly as the city's demographic makeup is predominantly Black and Brown.
The Mayor's avoidance of a confrontation with the Trump administration is framed as necessary to safeguard the city's budget. Still, one must question the ethical implications of prioritizing financial gains over principles of equity and fairness. By complying with policies that may systematically disadvantage citizens of color, Mayor Parker's administration may be complicit in furthering an agenda that endorses preferential treatment for White American citizens. Therefore, Philadelphia's new direction in public procurement warrants a critical reassessment regarding its alignment with democratic values and the principles of justice that ought to guide city governance.
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