Midwest
Plus size rapper sues Lyft claiming driver canceled ride over her weight: ‘Burst his tires’
A plus-sized female rapper from Michigan recently filed a lawsuit against Lyft, alleging her driver refused to provide her service because she was too large.
Dajua Blanding, also known as Dank Demoss, claimed she was trying to get to a Detroit Lions watch party when her Lyft driver refused to provide her service, saying she wouldn’t fit in his sedan.
Blanding, who said she has ridden in smaller vehicles without any issues, recorded the incident.
“I can fit in this car,” she said in the video. The driver responded, “Believe me, you can’t.”
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Michigan rapper Dajua Blanding is suing Lyft after she was allegedly denied a ride due to her weight. (WJBK)
The driver told Blanding his tires couldn’t handle the weight, apologized, and suggested ordering a larger vehicle, affiliate FOX 2 Detroit reported.
While the driver promised to refund the ride, Blanding said the encounter still hurt her feelings.
Michigan rapper Dajua Blanding said the encounter hurt her feelings. (WJBK)
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She retained attorneys and is suing for discrimination.
Attorney Jonathan Marko told FOX 2 the refusal was illegal, as weight is a protected characteristic in Michigan.
Denying someone a ride based on their weight would be the same under the law as denying someone because of their race or religion, according to Marko.
Michigan rapper Dajua Blanding is suing Lyft after she was allegedly denied a ride due to her weight. (WJBK)
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Lyft said it “unequivocally condemns all forms of discrimination.”
“We believe in a community where everyone is treated with equal respect and mutual kindness,” according to the statement. “Our community guidelines and terms of service explicitly prohibit harassment or discrimination.”
A Lyft spokesperson said they could not comment on specific incidents involving pending litigation, but that all who drive with Lyft are working as independent contractors.
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Nebraska extended an offer to one of the top receivers in the class of 2028. Four-star receiver Malachi Lee earned the offer while competing on campus in the Battle of the Boneyard 7-on-7 Tournament, which the Huskers hosted this weekend.
Lee is the 50th overall player in the 2028 class, the eighth overall wide receiver in the class, and the top player in his class from the state of Virginia, according to the Rivals Industry Rankings. The wide receiver has an extensive offer sheet that includes Maryland, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Syracuse.
The 2028 recruiting class currently has no commitments. This is no reason for alarm, as the coaching staff is just putting the finishing touches on the 2027 class as we speak.
Nevertheless, it’s good for the Huskers to get a head start on the 2028 group, as talent is evident in the class.
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BISMARCK — The public is invited to the opening of the State Historical Society of North Dakota’s new exhibit, “North Dakota 250 Road Trip: Our American Story,” with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, at the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck.
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, visitors can enjoy light refreshments, live music by Mythtickle, face painting, Scouting America Pinewood Derby races and opportunities to visit with agency curators, archivists and community partners until 1 p.m.
Developed as part of the America250 commemoration, the free exhibit explores North Dakota’s significant role in the American story through themes of travel, migration, innovation, and community. Visitors can explore highlights of how North Dakota has influenced the nation and how the nation has shaped us, beginning with stories dating back to the 1770s from tribal nations.
“We designed this exhibit as a road trip through North Dakota’s past, present, and future,” Exhibitions Manager David Newell said. “We are encouraging people to discover new stories and explore places they haven’t visited yet.”
Visitors can plan their own road trips, contribute to the state’s story on a kiosk, research longtime owners of Centennial Farms and learn how to explore your roots.
“This exhibit is an American story, a North Dakota story, and a personal story,” Audience Engagement & Museums Director Kimberly Jondahl said. “We invite people to dive into their own family histories using State Archives resources in the genealogy area. Do you know where your own people were in 1776?”
These programs are part of the ND250 commemoration celebrating our country’s 250th birthday.
The North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, located at 612 E. Boulevard Ave. in Bismarck, is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free.
Richland County is great for fishing
Some of Ohio’s best fishing opportunities are in Richland County.
Anglers can find strong opportunities for bass, crappie and catfish across central Ohio lakes this summer, according to a community announcement from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
The agency highlighted several reservoirs and lakes where fish populations remain robust and accessible, while also noting the relatively low cost of fishing in the state and the availability of free fishing promotions.
Ohio residents can purchase a one-year fishing license for $25, while youth younger than 16 do not need a license. The state also offers designated Free Fishing Days during which residents can fish without purchasing a license, though size and daily limits still apply.
Lakes across region offer diverse fishing opportunities
Central Ohio’s waterways, including reservoirs, inland lakes and streams, support a range of species such as hybrid-striped bass, crappie, black bass and catfish, according to the announcement.
Griggs Reservoir in Franklin County stands out for hybrid-striped bass, which are known for aggressive strikes and strong fights. Anglers often find success watching for birds diving on baitfish near the surface, which can signal feeding schools below. Fish exceeding 20 inches are regularly caught at the reservoir. Effective techniques include using swimbaits, rattle traps and topwater lures. The daily catch limit for hybrid-striped bass is 30 fish, with no more than four exceeding 15 inches.
Crappie fishing remains strong at Deer Creek Lake, spanning Fayette and Pickaway counties. Fisheries surveys conducted in fall 2025 identified numerous large fish. Anglers are encouraged to target submerged brush or trees, or to troll small crankbaits to cover more water.
Buckeye Lake, which touches Fairfield, Licking and Perry counties, also offers consistent crappie fishing. The lake contains both white and black crappie, with strong habitat areas such as submerged woody cover around Cranberry Bog. Public access is available through multiple boat ramps and shoreline sites.
The daily limit at both Deer Creek and Buckeye Lake is 30 crappie with a minimum length requirement of 9 inches.
Bass and catfish destinations draw anglers
Alum Creek Lake in Delaware County continues to produce largemouth and smallmouth bass in high numbers and sizes, according to the announcement. Tournament catches with five-fish totals nearing 20 pounds have been recorded.
Largemouth bass are commonly found near weed beds in shallow water, typically between 3 and 10 feet deep. Smallmouth bass are more often located near rocky areas and offshore points. The reservoir has a daily limit of five bass with a minimum length of 12 inches.
Hoover Reservoir, located in Delaware and Franklin counties, remains a key location for catfish anglers, according to the community announcement. Blue catfish stocked in 2011 have grown significantly, with some approaching 50 pounds. Anglers targeting these fish often use cut bait, especially in the northern portion of the reservoir during warmer months. The daily limit allows one blue catfish measuring at least 35 inches, with no limit on smaller fish.
The reservoir also features multiple boat launches and restrictions on motor horsepower, capped at 10 horsepower for outboard motors.
Resources and recognition programs available
The Division of Wildlife offers tools such as lake maps, fishing tips and forecasts to assist anglers, according to the announcement. These resources can be accessed through the HuntFish OH mobile app or on the agency’s website at wildohio.gov.
The agency also promotes its Fish Ohio program, which recognizes anglers who catch trophy-sized fish across 26 species. Qualifying participants receive a commemorative pin for their first entry and can earn a Master Angler pin by catching four different qualifying species within a year.
This year’s commemorative pin features a channel catfish.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
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