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What You Need To Know: July 9, 2026

Everyday, Sybil Wilkes gives you "What You Need To Know."

Everyday, Sybil Wilkes gives you "What You Need To Know."

What You Need To Know

From HaHa’s to Aha’s is a podcast brought to you by two industry legends, radio
veteran Sybil Wilkes and entertainment executive extraordinaire, Stephen Hill.  
Sybil and Stephen Hill met over 25 years ago when Stephen was the executive
producer for the Tom Joyner Morning show.  From there, a friendship developed
that has span decades and endured trials, triumphs and celebrations.   For the
past 22 years the two friends come together for a time to connect, share, get
checked and have fun.   During this time, they regularly have “Roundtable Table”
discussions where they openly and honestly share their lives experiences, hopes
and dreams from the previous years.  

This podcast will cover a myriad of discussions from politics, to health, to
entertainment, to love, to sex, to the orthodox and unorthodox way of thinking
and living.   Sybil and Stephen will open the discussion to celebrities, people of
interest and regular everyday people.

From HaHa&rsquo;s to Aha&rsquo;s is a podcast brought to you by two industry legends, radio veteran Sybil Wilkes and entertainment executive extraordinaire, Stephen Hill. &nbsp; Sybil and Stephen Hill met over 25 years ago when Stephen was the executive producer for the Tom Joyner Morning show. &nbsp;From there, a friendship developed that has span decades and endured trials, triumphs and celebrations. &nbsp; For the past 22 years the two friends come together for a time to connect, share, get checked and have fun. &nbsp; During this time, they regularly have &ldquo;Roundtable Table&rdquo; discussions where they openly and honestly share their lives experiences, hopes and dreams from the previous years. &nbsp;
This podcast will cover a myriad of discussions from politics, to health, to entertainment, to love, to sex, to the orthodox and unorthodox way of thinking and living. &nbsp; Sybil and Stephen will open the discussion to celebrities, people of interest and regular everyday people.

From Ha Ha's to Aha's

Reach Media, the leading African-American Network now brings you one of the most trusted voices in the African-American community—Sybil Wilkes. Here to spread knowledge and information on the subjects and topics that matter most to us, her podcast hits home and raises the conscience of our community. Sybil Wilkes gives you a clear concise breakdown of everything that you need to keep you informed and empowered!

Reach Media, the leading African-American Network now brings you one of the most trusted voices in the African-American community&mdash;Sybil Wilkes. Here to spread knowledge and information on the subjects and topics that matter most to us, her podcast hits home and raises the conscience of our community. Sybil Wilkes gives you a clear concise breakdown of everything that you need to keep you informed and&nbsp;empowered!

The Sybil Wilkes Podcast

What You Need To Know: July 9, 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/78a347aa-3282-4ac5-837c-a72300032082/clips/eee385bb-ab54-4ffe-a57d-b48200aaed39/transcript

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1. Florida Primary Election Information

Byron Donalds won the Republican nomination for Florida governor, defeating several prominent rivals with the backing of President Donald Trump and positioning himself as the expected favorite in November. If elected, Donalds would make history as the first Black governor of any southern U.S. state, while Democratic nominee David Jolly faces a difficult path in a state where Republicans have dominated statewide elections for decades. Donalds has focused his campaign on affordability, property taxes and insurance costs, while also attacking Jolly over issues including transgender rights and other cultural issues.

2. Missing New York Grandmother Prompts Investigation in Las Vegas

Law enforcement authorities in Nevada are actively searching for sixty-three-year-old Alisa Goods, a New York grandmother who vanished while visiting a friend in Las Vegas. Family members reported receiving suspicious text messages from her phone requesting money, bitcoin, and gas funds despite Goods not owning or driving a vehicle. As detailed by CBS News, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department maintains an active missing person investigation and urges anyone with information to contact detectives immediately. 

3. Federal Meta Trial Begins Over Youth Mental Health Harms

A major federal trial against Meta Platforms began in California as a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general accuses the tech giant of designing addictive features that harm youth mental health. As detailed in court coverage from KTVB News, state prosecutors allege Facebook and Instagram deliberately exploited children's developmental vulnerabilities while improperly collecting data from underage users. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will evaluate Meta's legal liability, which could result in substantial civil penalties and mandated structural changes to the social media platforms. 

4. Colin Kaepernick Renews $1 Million Pledge to Community Nonprofits

Marking ten years since initiating his national anthem protest, former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick announced a renewed one-million-dollar commitment to grassroots community organizations. As highlighted by Blavity, his foundation released initial twenty-five-thousand-dollar grants to youth-focused non-profits across New York, New Orleans, and Oakland. Direct updates regarding upcoming grant cycles and community initiatives are available through the official Know Your Rights Camp Portal. 

5. Know Our History: Benjamin Banneker's Historic Letter to Thomas Jefferson

On August 19, 1791, African American astronomer and mathematician Benjamin Banneker wrote a powerful letter to then-Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. Citing the Declaration of Independence, Banneker directly challenged Jefferson's hypocrisy in owning enslaved people while championing human liberty. As archived by Encyclopedia Virginia, Banneker enclosed a draft of his astronomical almanac to prove the intellectual capacity and scientific reason of Black Americans.

1. Florida Primary Election Information
Byron Donalds won the Republican nomination for Florida governor, defeating several prominent rivals with the backing of President Donald Trump and positioning himself as the expected favorite in November. If elected, Donalds would make history as the first Black governor of any southern U.S. state, while Democratic nominee David Jolly faces a difficult path in a state where Republicans have dominated statewide elections for decades. Donalds has focused his campaign on affordability, property taxes and insurance costs, while also attacking Jolly over issues including transgender rights and other cultural issues.
2. Missing New York Grandmother Prompts Investigation in Las Vegas
Law enforcement authorities in Nevada are actively searching for sixty-three-year-old Alisa Goods, a New York grandmother who vanished while visiting a friend in Las Vegas. Family members reported receiving suspicious text messages from her phone requesting money, bitcoin, and gas funds despite Goods not owning or driving a vehicle. As detailed by <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alisa-goods-missing-las-vegas-texts/">CBS News</a>, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department maintains an active missing person investigation and urges anyone with information to contact detectives immediately. 
3. Federal Meta Trial Begins Over Youth Mental Health Harms
A major federal trial against Meta Platforms began in California as a bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general accuses the tech giant of designing addictive features that harm youth mental health. As detailed in court coverage from <a href="https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/nation-world/meta-facebook-instagram-lawsuit-child-safety-privacy-trial-court/507-175ef254-3fb6-47ab-a936-1903249a74cf">KTVB News</a>, state prosecutors allege Facebook and Instagram deliberately exploited children's developmental vulnerabilities while improperly collecting data from underage users. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers will evaluate Meta's legal liability, which could result in substantial civil penalties and mandated structural changes to the social media platforms. 
4. Colin Kaepernick Renews $1 Million Pledge to Community Nonprofits
Marking ten years since initiating his national anthem protest, former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick announced a renewed one-million-dollar commitment to grassroots community organizations. As highlighted by <a href="https://blavity.com/colin-kaepernick-renews-1-million-pledge-to-community-orgs">Blavity</a>, his foundation released initial twenty-five-thousand-dollar grants to youth-focused non-profits across New York, New Orleans, and Oakland. Direct updates regarding upcoming grant cycles and community initiatives are available through the official <a href="https://kaepernick7.com/pages/colin-kaepernick-and-know-your-rights-camp-commit-1-000-000-to-fund-community-organizations-now-through-2027">Know Your Rights Camp Portal</a>. 
5. Know Our History: Benjamin Banneker's Historic Letter to Thomas Jefferson
On August 19, 1791, African American astronomer and mathematician Benjamin Banneker wrote a powerful letter to then-Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. Citing the Declaration of Independence, Banneker directly challenged Jefferson's hypocrisy in owning enslaved people while championing human liberty. As archived by <a href="https://encyclopediavirginia.org/primary-documents/letter-from-benjamin-banneker-to-thomas-jefferson-august-19-1791/">Encyclopedia Virginia</a>, Banneker enclosed a draft of his astronomical almanac to prove the intellectual capacity and scientific reason of Black Americans.

WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW: AUGUST 19, 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/78a347aa-3282-4ac5-837c-a72300032082/clips/2e776dc2-0695-45d2-b899-b4ab00853df3/transcript

1. Primary Elections Underway in Florida, Alaska, and Wyoming

Voters across Florida, Alaska, and Wyoming are casting ballots today in primary elections to select party nominees for key state and federal offices. Voters seeking live election updates, sample ballots, or official vote tallies should consult the Florida Division of Elections or regional election commission portals such as Palm Beach County Elections. Checking official government election websites remains the most direct way to access certified primary updates as local election boards process ballots.

2. U.S. Army Pauses Apache Training Flights After Texas Crash

The U.S. Army has temporarily suspended Apache helicopter training missions following a fatal crash near Salado, Texas. As reported by CBS News, military officials identified the two fallen aviators as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead. A safety investigation team from the Army Combat Readiness Center is actively conducting a full inquiry to determine the cause of the accident. 

3. Tax Strategy vs. Tax Preparation for Growing Businesses

Financial advisers highlight that proactive tax strategy focuses on guiding business decisions throughout the year, whereas tax preparation simply reports past earnings. Service firm owners who regularly assess entity structures, owner compensation, and allowable deductions can uncover substantial annual savings. Integrating year-round tax planning enables expanding companies to retain more revenue and secure long-term profitability.

4. Tennessee Barber Marks 30 Years of Free Student Haircuts

Tennessee barbershop owner Shawn Moses is continuing his thirty-year tradition of providing free back-to-school haircuts to K-12 students. Parents visiting Moses's shop highlighted how the complimentary haircuts offer crucial financial relief as back-to-school expenses continue to climb. Moses views the annual effort as a vital community mission to help young students feel confident and ready for the academic year.

5. Know Our History: Celebrating Olympic Champion Rafer Johnson

Today marks the birth anniversary of legendary decathlete, actor, and humanitarian Rafer Johnson, who was born on August 18, 1934. A standout multi-sport athlete at UCLA, Johnson earned global acclaim after winning the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics. His historic athletic legacy and lifelong commitment to humanitarian service continue to inspire athletes and communities worldwide.

1. Primary Elections Underway in Florida, Alaska, and Wyoming
Voters across Florida, Alaska, and Wyoming are casting ballots today in primary elections to select party nominees for key state and federal offices. Voters seeking live election updates, sample ballots, or official vote tallies should consult the <a href="https://dos.fl.gov/elections/for-voters/election-dates/">Florida Division of Elections</a> or regional election commission portals such as <a href="https://www.votepalmbeach.gov/292/2026-Primary-Election">Palm Beach County Elections</a>. Checking official government election websites remains the most direct way to access certified primary updates as local election boards process ballots.
2. U.S. Army Pauses Apache Training Flights After Texas Crash
The U.S. Army has temporarily suspended Apache helicopter training missions following a fatal crash near Salado, Texas. As reported by <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/apache-helicopter-crash-salado-texas-fort-hood/">CBS News</a>, military officials identified the two fallen aviators as Chief Warrant Officer 2 Deontre T. Huey and Warrant Officer Seth L. Olmstead. A safety investigation team from the Army Combat Readiness Center is actively conducting a full inquiry to determine the cause of the accident. 
3. Tax Strategy vs. Tax Preparation for Growing Businesses
Financial advisers highlight that proactive tax strategy focuses on guiding business decisions throughout the year, whereas tax preparation simply reports past earnings. Service firm owners who regularly assess entity structures, owner compensation, and allowable deductions can uncover substantial annual savings. Integrating year-round tax planning enables expanding companies to retain more revenue and secure long-term profitability.
4. Tennessee Barber Marks 30 Years of Free Student Haircuts
Tennessee barbershop owner Shawn Moses is continuing his thirty-year tradition of providing free back-to-school haircuts to K-12 students. Parents visiting Moses's shop highlighted how the complimentary haircuts offer crucial financial relief as back-to-school expenses continue to climb. Moses views the annual effort as a vital community mission to help young students feel confident and ready for the academic year.
5. Know Our History: Celebrating Olympic Champion Rafer Johnson
Today marks the birth anniversary of legendary decathlete, actor, and humanitarian Rafer Johnson, who was born on August 18, 1934. A standout multi-sport athlete at UCLA, Johnson earned global acclaim after winning the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics. His historic athletic legacy and lifelong commitment to humanitarian service continue to inspire athletes and communities worldwide.

WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW: AUGUST 18, 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/78a347aa-3282-4ac5-837c-a72300032082/clips/06b95920-aa12-44f5-b813-b4aa0041bae9/transcript

1. Suspect Arrested Following Campus Shooting at Virginia State University

Police have arrested nineteen-year-old Camron Harris after an overnight shooting on the Virginia State University campus left five people wounded, including one critically. Authorities apprehended Harris while he was hiding in a campus dormitory closet and issued eight felony warrants, including charges for malicious wounding and firearm usage. As reported by the Times of India, law enforcement confirmed that neither the suspect nor four of the injured victims were enrolled students at the university, where fall classes are moving forward as scheduled. 

2. South Carolina Positioned First in 2028 Democratic Primary Calendar

The Democratic National Committee officially designated South Carolina as the opening state for the 2028 presidential primary calendar, moving Black, Latino, and union voters to the forefront of the nominating process. Party leaders approved the calendar shift to ensure potential presidential contenders are tested across diverse communities early in the election cycle. Voters seeking further details on future primary schedules and registration guidelines can consult official updates directly on the Democratic National Committee Portal or track national primary coverage via PBS News. 

3. Historic Bank Merger Creates Largest Black-Owned Financial Institution

South Carolina-based Optus Bank and North Carolina-based Mechanics and Farmers Bank have announced a definitive merger agreement valued at over $105 million. Set to close in the fourth quarter, the historic combination will yield roughly $1.27 billion in total assets and establish the largest Black-owned bank in the United States. According to financial industry reporting from Banking Dive, the merged institution will unite two century-old minority depository entities to expand capital access and economic mobility across the Carolinas. 

4. Ministry Monday: Maintaining Hope in Challenging Times

In this week's Ministry Monday segment, author Willie Mae McIver explores the spiritual distinction between present faith and future-oriented hope. McIver emphasizes that true biblical hope serves as a powerful inner strength builder rooted in God's faithfulness and promises for prosperity. She offers practical advice for preserving optimism during difficult seasons, including practicing gratitude, limiting negative news consumption, and staying connected with supportive faith communities.

5. Know Our History: Celebrating the Legacy of Marcus Garvey

Today marks the anniversary of the birth of Pan-African leader and Black nationalist pioneer Marcus Garvey, born in St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica, on August 17, 1887. Garvey organized the Universal Negro Improvement Association and established the Negro World newspaper to promote racial pride and economic independence across the African diaspora. As chronicled by Encyclopædia Britannica, his vision of self-reliance and global Black unity continues to serve as an enduring foundation for modern civil rights movements.

1. Suspect Arrested Following Campus Shooting at Virginia State University
Police have arrested nineteen-year-old Camron Harris after an overnight shooting on the Virginia State University campus left five people wounded, including one critically. Authorities apprehended Harris while he was hiding in a campus dormitory closet and issued eight felony warrants, including charges for malicious wounding and firearm usage. As reported by the <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/19-year-old-held-after-virginia-state-university-shooting-leaves-5-wounded-found-in-dorm-closet/articleshow/133268865.cms">Times of India</a>, law enforcement confirmed that neither the suspect nor four of the injured victims were enrolled students at the university, where fall classes are moving forward as scheduled. 
2. South Carolina Positioned First in 2028 Democratic Primary Calendar
The Democratic National Committee officially designated South Carolina as the opening state for the 2028 presidential primary calendar, moving Black, Latino, and union voters to the forefront of the nominating process. Party leaders approved the calendar shift to ensure potential presidential contenders are tested across diverse communities early in the election cycle. Voters seeking further details on future primary schedules and registration guidelines can consult official updates directly on the <a href="https://democrats.org/">Democratic National Committee Portal</a> or track national primary coverage via <a href="https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/democrats-put-south-carolina-1st-in-2028-presidential-primary-calendar/4028657">PBS News</a>. 
3. Historic Bank Merger Creates Largest Black-Owned Financial Institution
South Carolina-based Optus Bank and North Carolina-based Mechanics and Farmers Bank have announced a definitive merger agreement valued at over $105 million. Set to close in the fourth quarter, the historic combination will yield roughly $1.27 billion in total assets and establish the largest Black-owned bank in the United States. According to financial industry reporting from <a href="https://www.bankingdive.com/news/optus-mf-carolina-black-owned-banks-merge-105-million-mdi-cdfi/826017/">Banking Dive</a>, the merged institution will unite two century-old minority depository entities to expand capital access and economic mobility across the Carolinas. 
4. Ministry Monday: Maintaining Hope in Challenging Times
In this week's Ministry Monday segment, author Willie Mae McIver explores the spiritual distinction between present faith and future-oriented hope. McIver emphasizes that true biblical hope serves as a powerful inner strength builder rooted in God's faithfulness and promises for prosperity. She offers practical advice for preserving optimism during difficult seasons, including practicing gratitude, limiting negative news consumption, and staying connected with supportive faith communities.
5. Know Our History: Celebrating the Legacy of Marcus Garvey
Today marks the anniversary of the birth of Pan-African leader and Black nationalist pioneer Marcus Garvey, born in St. Ann's Bay, Jamaica, on August 17, 1887. Garvey organized the Universal Negro Improvement Association and established the Negro World newspaper to promote racial pride and economic independence across the African diaspora. As chronicled by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Marcus-Garvey">Encyclop&aelig;dia Britannica</a>, his vision of self-reliance and global Black unity continues to serve as an enduring foundation for modern civil rights movements.

WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW: AUGUST 8. 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/78a347aa-3282-4ac5-837c-a72300032082/clips/b3c54308-275d-408d-a06a-b4a900116ac4/transcript

What You Need To Know: July 9, 2026

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