Full Show | Indiana Suffers Torrential Rain That Raises the Death Toll; Keke Palmer Urges Women to Look Pass Bank Accounts; Stephen A. Smith Gets Thumbs Down Award from NABJ; Usher’s Oldest Son Enrolling at Howard University; and More

The Rickey Smiley Morning Show kicked off the week with a mix of breaking news, celebrity headlines, and cultural conversation. The team discussed the devastating flooding in Indiana, where more than 11 inches of rain triggered historic flooding, forced hundreds of rescues and evacuations, and left at least seven people dead as recovery efforts continue across the state. The conversation then shifted to Keke Palmer, whose latest comments encouraged women to focus less on a man’s bank account and more on his character, work ethic, and emotional maturity. Palmer specifically praised blue-collar professionals like mechanics and firefighters, reigniting a broader social media debate about modern dating standards and what truly makes a partner “high value.”   The entertainment buzz continued with growing reactions to Stephen A. Smith receiving the National Association of Black Journalists’ 2026 “Thumbs Down” Award. NABJ cited what it described as a recurring pattern of disparaging commentary about prominent Black women in politics, sports, and media, a move that has sparked strong reactions across journalism and social media circles. Meanwhile, Usher shared an emotional milestone as his oldest son, Cinco, officially enrolled at Howard University. The proud father celebrated the achievement with a heartfelt message, joining a growing trend of celebrity children choosing HBCUs for their college experience. The show also highlighted Clarissa Shields reclaiming championship gold in the boxing ring, celebrity boxing antics featuring Ray J, and the latest entertainment news from Atlanta and beyond.  Website: https://www.urban1podcasts.com/rickey-smiley-morning-show See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.