Shaw University Alumna Nikia Smith Sellers Elected Judge — Defeating the YSL Trial Judge in the Process
A Shaw University alumna just made her mark on the Atlanta judicial system — and the HBCU community should be celebrating. On May 19, 2026, Nikia Smith Sellers, a proud Shaw University alumna, won election to the Atlanta Judicial Circuit Superior Court. She defeated incumbent Judge Paige Reese Whitaker — the same judge who presided over the tail end of the infamous Young Thug and YSL RICO trial. Sellers received 101,323 votes, clearing 50.84% of the total and avoiding a runoff entirely. It is a landmark moment for HBCU alumni in law, leadership, and public service. Who Is Nikia Smith Sellers Sellers is
Democratic battles and incumbents on defense: What to watch in Tuesday’s primaries
By Ben Kamisar, Bridget Bowman, Adam Edelman and Alexandra Marquez The fight to shape the future of the Democratic Party is playing out in a slew of key primaries across six states Tuesday, as races across six states set the matchups in crucial November battlegrounds and settle personal and ideological battles across the country. Voters will head to the polls in California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota, with the biggest contest of the night being California’s race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom. California has a slew of important House primaries, too, after Democrats redrew the state’s congressional lines in hope of
Primary challengers threaten to unseat House members across the country
By Ben Kamisar Four House incumbents have already lost re-election bids so far this year, just a few months into primary season. And about a dozen more are facing legitimate threats in the coming months. Two Republican incumbents are squaring off for one district in California next week, the latest example of redistricting changing not just general elections but primaries as well, after two Democratic members lost in Texas last week. But the heaviest upcoming primary action will be on the Democratic side. A handful of Democratic incumbents in California will also face energetic challengers arguing that voters want a fresh
Charlotte lawmaker reintroduces HBCU infrastructure bill
A bill introduced in Congress earlier this month would pave the way for federal funding that would upgrade infrastructure at the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities like Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte. Federal lawmakers have introduced bills to fund infrastructure upgrades at historically Black colleges.U.S. Reps. Alma Adams, a Charlotte Democrat and Arkansas Republican French Hill introduced HR 8791, the Institutional Grants for New Infrastructure, Technology, and Education for Historically Black College and University Excellence Act. Sens. Chris Coons, a Maryland Democrat, and Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican introduced a companion legislation in the upper chamber. HR
Howard, NCAT alums star in A Different World reboot
When Netflix revives A Different World this fall, the series won’t just be telling stories about HBCU life — it will feature several people who actually lived it. The highly anticipated sequel series returns viewers to Hillman College, the fictional HBCU that became a cultural touchstone for Black college life during its original run from 1987 to 1993. But unlike many Hollywood productions centered around HBCU culture, this version includes cast members and creative leaders with real ties to historically Black colleges and universities. At the center of those connections is legendary producer, director and choreographer Debbie Allen, a Howard University graduate who
Chuck Schumer lays out Democrats’ plan to fight Trump’s ‘anti-weaponization’ fund in the Senate
By Julie Tsirkin, Sahil Kapur, Frank Thorp V, Ryan Nobles and Raquel Coronell Uribe Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday that Democrats would try to kill President Donald Trump’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, forcing Republicans to vote to preserve the compensation money. “This week, Senate Democrats will launch a coordinated effort to kill the slush fund before one cent goes out the door,” Schumer said in a “Dear Colleague” letter released Monday. Schumer pointed to Republicans’ plans to use budget reconciliation again to advance their spending priorities, a move that would allow Democrats to bring up unlimited amendments as the Senate considers the bill. “If Republicans return to reconciliation,
Nancy Pelosi breaks silence on race to succeed her in Congress
by Nadia Lopez Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi endorsed Supervisor Connie Chan this week in the race to succeed her in Congress, delivering a major boost to a candidate who has struggled to keep pace with her better-funded rivals. Why it matters: Pelosi’s 11th-hour backing could prove decisive in the high-stakes primary, potentially helping consolidate traditional Democratic voters behind Chan while tying her candidacy to one of the most powerful political networks in the country. Pelosi announced last year that she would retire after nearly four decades representing California’s 11th Congressional District, setting off one of the city’s biggest political succession fights in decades. The
Republicans brace for money problems in Texas after Ken Paxton’s win
By Bridget Bowman and Matt Dixon President Donald Trump may be celebrating that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won Tuesday’s Senate primary, but some Republicans now worry that they have a Texas-sized problem on their hands. Paxton, with Trump’s endorsement, handily defeated four-term Sen. John Cornyn in the runoff. Democrats largely viewed Paxton as the weaker candidate because of his many controversies. But his fundraising struggles are also raising alarm bells among Republicans. “Economically, it’s a disaster. Texas is extremely expensive,” said a GOP consultant working on Senate races, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly about party resources. So far, Paxton’s fundraising has paled in
Biden sues Justice Department to stop release of audio from interviews
By Gary Grumbach and Raquel Coronell Uribe Former President Joe Biden sued the Justice Department on Tuesday, urging a federal judge to block the release of audio recordings and transcripts of his private conversations with the ghostwriter of his 2017 memoir. The suit stems from a 2024 Freedom of Information Act request by the conservative Heritage Foundation, which later filed its own lawsuit to obtain Biden’s remarks to Mark Zwonitzer when they were writing “Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose.” The Justice Department had withheld the sought-after materials, arguing they were exempt from disclosure. But during President Donald Trump’s second term, Biden’s attorney
Democrat Johnny Garcia wins Texas House primary after rival’s antisemitic comments drew national rebukes
By Ben Kamisar Democrat Johnny Garcia has won his party’s primary in Texas’ 35th Congressional District, NBC News projects, defeating a rival whom party leaders had condemned for antisemitic comments as Democrats look to compete in a district Republicans redrew to their benefit. The district stretches from Austin to San Antonio, the result of Republican efforts to combine two Democratic seats into one and create a new district leaning their way. Donald Trump carried the district by about 10.5 points in 2024. Despite that result, there are signs the district could be competitive in the general election, including $1 million in
