Missing Hip-Hop Editor Found After Years of Absence

Keith Porter was shot and killed by an off-duty ICE agent, sparking questions and comparisons to other incidents involving immigration enforcement. Advocates say Porter fired gunshots as part of a New Year’s Eve celebration before the shooting.

Some Ask, What About the Black Man Killed by ICE?

Advocates expressed outrage after government officials described Keith Porter Jr. as an “active shooter” and threat to the community. Porter, 45, was described by friends and relatives as a jack-of-all-trades, a devoted father to his two daughters, an avid fisherman, a San Francisco 49ers fan, and a performer known for his humor. His attorney, Jamal Tooson, claimed that multiple people at the complex were firing guns, but only Porter was murdered.

Liz Courquet-Lesaulnier, writing for Word In Black, noted the similarities to the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a citizen and mother, by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Wayne Washington, writing for The Root, drew parallels between the two cases, questioning the differing responses to the deaths of a Black man and a white woman.

A Dallas Morning News analysis found that during the first nine months of Trump’s second term, 62% of those arrested by ICE agents in the Dallas office had not been convicted of crimes. In Chicago, former mayor Lori Lightfoot launched an “ICE Accountability Project” to document alleged criminal or abusive conduct by immigration agents.

Disappointment in Star Tribune Opinion Page

Jim Boyd, a former editor for the Star Tribune editorial pages, criticized the newspaper’s lack of institutional condemnation of the shooting and the Trump administration’s actions. He expressed disappointment with the opinion editor’s “milquetoast” column and questioned the newspaper’s leadership. Boyd praised the Star Tribune news staff for their reporting on the incident. Neither the Star Tribune nor editorial page editor Philip Morris responded to requests for comment.

CBS Said to Slow Down Piece on White South Africans

CBS’ “60 Minutes” has been scrutinizing a piece examining the Trump administration’s decision to accept refugees from South Africa, a move rooted in a debunked conspiracy theory about a “white genocide.” The segment, which features Anderson Cooper, has undergone extensive editorial review, reportedly causing frustration for producer Michael Gavshon. It remains unclear if or when the piece will air.

No Blacks on Washington Post ‘Intelligence Councils’

Following a meeting between the National Association of Black Journalists and Washington Post leadership regarding concerns about the environment for Black journalists, the Post published an announcement featuring 45 individuals on its Intelligence Councils. The councils, covering energy and climate, global security, and AI and tech, appeared to include no Black members. Post spokespeople did not respond to requests for comment.

Passings

Several journalists and media professionals have recently passed away.

Charles Robinson

Charles Robinson, of Maryland Public Broadcasting, died Dec. 15 at 69. Approximately 300 people attended services, which were described as a reunion for many Black journalists.

Dwight Chuman

Dwight Chuman, former editor of The Rafu Shimpo and co-founder of the Asian American Journalists Association, died July 25 at 77. According to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, Chuman died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Lisa Treadwell

Lisa Treadwell, a longtime stage manager for CBS Evening News, was honored in a tribute segment on Jan. 2. She had been battling cancer.

John King Jr.

John King Jr., 43, a videographer who worked at KHOU-TV in Houston, died Dec. 29. He was also a drummer known as “Chunky.”

Thomas H. Watkins

Thomas H. Watkins, who founded the New York Daily Challenge, a Black-owned daily newspaper in New York City, died in December at 88.

Korl Bostic

Veteran journalist Karl Bostic reported from Israel for PBS News Hour. He reflected on the challenges and complexities of covering the conflict.

Adam Harris

Adam Harris is returning to The Atlantic to host and develop a new weekly video podcast.

Wiley Price

Wiley Price, a photographer for The St. Louis American, is retiring after more than 40 years at the publication.

Joy Reid

Joy Reid responded to comments made by Charlie Kirk’s wife, Erika Kirk, regarding touching Black women’s hair.

Short Takes

• NABJ Black News and Views, a freelance outlet, published its last issue on Dec. 31 due to financial challenges.
• MTV will shut down many of its dedicated 24-hour music channels.
• Andrew Sherry, who led communications for the NABJ and AAJA, has moved on from both roles.
• The Atlantic is hiring Adam Harris to host a new video podcast.
• St. Louis American photographer Wiley Price is retiring after more than 40 years.
• El País English published a piece on the political aspirations of African descendants in the Americas.
• USA Today reported on Black women flocking to Mexico City.