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Biden: Get Ready For Hurricane Season

The U.S. experienced a record year of extreme weather events in 2020

Posted by Harold Fisher
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(Washington, DC) — President Biden is advising vulnerable regions to get ready for hurricane season, which officially starts on June 1st. Visiting FEMA headquarters in DC, Biden also warned about expected wildfires in the West. He said he’s insisting on “readiness for all these challenges.” Biden vowed to spare no expense in getting prepared. He praised the men and women of FEMA and said they have incredibly difficult jobs. Biden noted that extreme weather events and natural disasters don’t care about red states or blue states.

The Biden administration is designating one-billion dollars for states, targeted communities and Tribal governments to help prepare for extreme weather events. A White House statement says administration is also unveiling development of “next generation climate data systems at NASA to help understand and track how climate change is impacting communities.” The statement notes that the U.S. experienced a record year of extreme weather events in 2020.

Jeremih Lands Role In ‘Power Book IV: Force’

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Contributed by Scott Lipscomb

R&B star Jeremih is back, this time as an actor on the new installment of power “Power Book IV: Force.”

This is a positive move for the singer as he had a scary run-in with COVID-19 in 2020.

“I had a tube down my throat for about a week and a half. I was really like, in a dream and I ain’t gonna lie, I woke up about two times and all I remember is just seeing a white light,” he said.

Jeremih, who had to relearn to walk, is now doing much better.

He continued, “What I ended up having and I don’t mind sharing it because now, you know, I’m here- it was called an [multisystem] inflammatory syndrome,MIS. Which is a rare case of, you know, the cause and effect of COVID-19. My whole insides, all my organs, became inflamed. It was going down.” reported Hot 97.

The new series will focus on character Tommy Egan as he leaves NY to start a life on the west coast.

Prince Harry Reveals He Used Drugs To Help Cope With Death Of Mother

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Contributed By Scott Lipscomb
Death isn’t easy for anyone, and healing can be a hard and long process. For Prince Harry, whose mother tragically passed when he was 12, that process has been anything but easy.

Prince Harry and Oprah have a new docu series coming out to help remove stigmas around mental health. The last time he was with Oprah in March him and his wife, Meghan, revealed racism within the royal family and how he felt neglected. In the most recent episode he explained how the constant media pressure almost led his wife to self harm.

“The clicking of cameras and the flash of cameras makes my blood boil. It makes me angry. It takes me back to what happened to my mum, what I experienced as a kid,” he tells Winfrey in the documentary.
“I was so angry with what happened to her, and the fact that there was no justice at all … The same people that chased her through that tunnel photographed her dying on the back seat of that car.”
In the five-part documentary series, Harry is seen undergoing a form of therapy known as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) to treat unresolved anxiety stemming from his anger at the media and the death of his mother, reported NBC News.
Harry also notes how he turned to drugs and alcohol not for personal enjoyment but rather to suppress his feelings of sadness and anger.
“I was willing to drink, I was willing to take drugs, I was willing to try and do the things that made me feel less like I was feeling,” he said. “Not because I was enjoying it but because I was trying to mask something,” he added.
Harry for the last four years has seen a therapist which he hopes will help him find peace and less anger.

Lady Gaga Reveals She Was Raped

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Contributed by Scott Lipscomb
Pop star Lady Gaga expressed that she was taken advantage of and raped when she was 19 by a former producer.

On the pilot for the new docuseries by Prince Harry and Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga revealed that a producer asked her to take her clothes off at the early stage of her entertainment career.

“And they didn’t stop. They didn’t stop asking me, and then I just froze. I don’t even remember,” she said. “And I will not say his name. I understand this Me Too movement. I understand that some people feel really comfortable with this, and I do not. I do not ever want to face that person again.”

Not only was she raped, but the singer also became pregnant. She experienced immense pain as well as thoughts of self harm and guilt.

“First, I felt full-on pain. Then I went numb,” she said. “And then I was sick for weeks and weeks and weeks and weeks after, and I realized that it was this same pain that I felt when the person who raped me dropped me off pregnant on the corner, my parents’ house, because I was vomiting and sick because I’d been … abused. I was locked away in a studio for months.”

The slow healing process has been long for her and not always linear, the LA times reported that “Gaga said her healing process has seen a “slow rise” over the years. “And even if I have six brilliant months, all it takes is getting triggered once to feel bad. … thinking about dying, wondering if I’m ever going to do it.”

Gaga hopes her sharing her story can stop girls in similar situations from inflicting self harm on themselves.

50 Cent Donates $300K to Houston Schools

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Contributed by Scott Lipscomb

50 Cent once said “Hate It or Love It I’m On Top,” and one thing he is on top of is giving back!

The rapper, business mogul, and philanthropist recently moved to Houston and has helped the community since his arrival. He recently donated 300k with his G-Unity Foundation to Houston’s Independent School District(ISD).

“These programs will really get people excited to learn again after everything that’s been going on,” the rapper said in a press conference alluding to the tough year many have experienced due to COVID-19.

The program not only focuses on making learning exciting, but also helping shape future entrepreneurs with exclusive access to 50 Cent’s G Unity Business Lab.

The rapper played Santa this past holiday season and donated thousands of dollars in toys for the children. One thing is for sure, he loves helping the next generation have the best possible chance at success.

BET Awards Returns with Live Audience

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Contributed by Scott Lipscomb

COVID-19 has slowed a lot of things down and shifted the focus of many companies to help aid in relief efforts as well as vaccinations. After a year of hardships, fans can find something to smile about with the 2021 Bet Awards premiering June 27th from Los Angeles, California.

Vaccinated fans will be able to register for a chance to be a part of the live audience!
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, BET has been at the forefront of recovery efforts for our community, turning entertainment touchpoints into opportunities to empower our audiences and help combat the disproportionate impacts of COVID-19,” said BET President Scott Mills in a statement on their website.

Last year powerful performances by Jenifer Hudson, DaBaby and Roddy Ricch, YG and others focused on Police Brutality and the Black Lives Matter Movement. With progress being made we can expect to see more celebrities use their platforms to help spread awareness on social issues.

While the nominees are set to be released this month, we can expect to see some of our favorite artists.

Let us know who we think is due for a BET award on June 27th.

Helping The Underserved Community

Distant Relatives Project feeds the homeless every last Saturday of the month.

Posted by Bobby Gailes
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Empowering those hit by life’s many circumstances.  Distant Relatives Project is on the frontlines of tackling critical issues impacting our community’s under-served.  My guest is Jason Akyea – Director of Programs for Distant Relatives

Distant Relatives Project is a 501c3 non-profit organization with a commitment to developing underserved communities.  Every last Saturday of the month they host “Feeding Our Relatives,” a program that address the homeless pillar. For more information go here: 

 

Tune in to Taking it to the Streets, weekday mornings at 6:15, 7:08 and 8:40 on the Steve Harvey Morning Show on 96.3 WHUR.

Follow me on facebook and twitter at @bobbygailes for updates and to stay connected.

 

Listen to this segment here:

Rental Assistance, Alpha Health Fair. More Free Events In Community’s Choice

WHUR’ s Community’s Choice features weekly non-profit events. To get your event on-line and on-air, email Renee Nash at rnash@whur.com.

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Rental Assistance

If you are a resident of Prince George’s County and have experienced loss of income due to COVID, HOPE may be able to help with rental assistance. www.hopefinancial.com

Alpha Phi Alpha Health Fair

Calling all men. Time to get healthy, wealthy, and wise. Join the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity for their 2021 Men’s Health Forum June 12th. www.pui1906.org

Destination Achievers

Are you in need of job skills and mentoring or are you at risk of unemployment. Destination Achievers Inc. may be able to help. www.destinationachievers.org

Oral Health Workshop

June is Oral Health Month. Join Glory World International Ministry June 26th for a free oral education and awareness workshop at Longfields Elementary School in Forestville. It’s free for parents and children. www.gwimsolutions.com

AARP Foundation Experience Corps

Are you looking for ways to help area youth succeed? The AARP Foundation Experience Corps is in need of volunteers. www.aarp.org/ecwashingtondc

Housing Counseling Services

Housing Counseling Services provides free webinars every month to help tenants, homebuyers, and homeowners. Registration is required. www.housingetc.org

WHUR Community’s Choice

To get your non-profit on the air and web, email Renee Nash @ rnash@whur.com at least three weeks prior to your event.

It Takes Two

Are you a single parent with a child in grades 4th thru college. It Takes Two Inc. is accepting applications for its Tools for Success Scholarship to provide school supplies for Maryland youth. www.ittakestwoinc.org

Managing College Debt and Later Life Financial Burdens

Resources to prevent and manage college debt.

Posted by Harold Fisher
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College graduations are well underway. We’re glad to see them come back.  What we’re not so happy to talk about is the college debt that will follow so many newly-minted degree-holders for years to come.  And that’s just the beginning.  Other factors can contribute to the piling on of debt long after college is in the rear-view mirror.  How do you manage the college debt and other financial burdens weighing us down?

Resources:

Dr. Tisa Silver-Canady

 

Dr. Tisa Silver-Canady, Author, Collegiate Financial Wellness Expert

WHO: COVID Deaths Could Be Vastly Undercounted

The WHO says deaths could be two to three times higher

Posted by Harold Fisher
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(Geneva) — The World Health Organization is issuing a warning that the number of coronavirus deaths around the world could be way higher than what has officially been reported. The WHO says deaths could be two to three times higher, which means six to eight million people may have now died from the virus or related causes. They also noted that COVID may have killed at least three million people last year. That includes as many as one-and-a-half million people in the Americas. Johns Hopkins University says there have been more than 33-million coronavirus infections in the U.S. The death toll stands at nearly 589-thousand.

Rittenhouse Makes First In-Person Court Appearance

 Trial Set For Nov. 1

Posted by Harold Fisher
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(Kenosha, WI) — A man charged with killing two people last year during police brutality protests will go on trial later this year. Kyle Rittenhouse, who was 17 at the time of the shootings but has since turned 18, made his first in-person court appearance today and he’ll go on trial November 1st. Rittenhouse is accused of committing the crimes just after the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha. Rittenhouse also allegedly wounded one other person. He’s been out of jail on a two-million-dollar bail.

Kyle Rittenhouse

Lil Duval Chooses Faith Over Fear, ‘Living My Best Life’

My friend was diagnosed with cancer. He decided to “live his best” life for his remaining five years. That inspired some of the lyrics to the song, “Smile.”

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Lil Duval’s first comedy special is out now, and he’s bustling with excitement about it. He believes that God is working through him, in many ways. I believe he’s right. When talking with him, you quickly learn that he’s not a man of empty words. Lil Duval is walking the walk.

Did you know the song, “Smile” was inspired by one of his friends, who was diagnosed with terminal cancer? The friend didn’t get depressed about his fate. Instead, he decided to live his best life for as long as he had left on this earth. Duval, along with a few other friends helped him do just that. That was, in part, how Duval wrote the lyrics to the song , “Smile” featuring Snoop Dogg, Ball Greezy & Midnight Star. The song has over 47 million views to this day.

Be sure to catch Lil Duval’s new comedy special “Living My Best Life,” now streaming. He’s also starring in the sequel to “The Blacks” in June, alongside comedians Katt Williams and Mike Epps.

Ditch the Car: Friday Is Bike to Work Day

The 20th Anniversary of Bike to Work Day is tomorrow Motorists are encouraged to leave the car home and hop on the bike to get to work.

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Washington, D.C. (May 20, 2021) – Thousands of commuters in the DMV are encouraged to ditch their vehicles, Metro, and ride share Friday  and take part in the Annual Bike to Work Day (BTWD).  It’s an effort to encourage a fun and safe way to boost physical and mental health.

This year marks the 20th Anniversary of BTWD.  Many of this year’s BTWD participants are telecommuters who plan on biking to a local pit stop to pick up their free t-shirt before heading back home to start the workday. The first 15,000 registrants who attend will receive the Bike to Work Day 2021 commemorative shirt.

Co-organized by Commuter Connections and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA), BTWD 2021 will feature 95 pit stops. Safety measures in compliance with CDC guidelines will be in effect at all pit stop locations to ensure participants and volunteers remain safe. Precautions include:

  • Zero-tolerance mask enforcement.
  • Pre-selected check-in times for staggered arrival times, with 25-30 bicyclists per 30-minute timeslot.
  • Physical distancing requirements, including six-foot distancing, one-way traffic flow, hand sanitizer stations, and appropriate signage.

“Events like Bike to Work Day go a long way in bringing together our local communities and promoting a healthy and fun commuting alternative while doing so,” said Nicholas Ramfos, Director of Commuter Connections, a program of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

Every year, BTWD brings out a wide range of commuters. Most recently, the 2019 event saw:

  • 93 percent of BTWD riders use personal bikes.
  • 23 percent of participants were first-time BTWD cyclists.
  • BTWD participants travel an average of 8.4 miles one-way to work.

BTWD promotes bicycling as a healthy commuting option that lowers commuting costs, reduces vehicle wear and tear, lessens traffic congestion, encourages healthier lifestyles, and improves air quality. The event, which comes during May’s Mental Health Awareness Month, also celebrates the powerful effect exercise has on physical and mental health.

“Especially this year, Bike to Work Day presents a chance to remind ourselves just how big a role exercise plays in maintaining physical and mental health,” Ramfos added. “I’m excited to see our participants have the opportunity to get outside, enjoy the nice weather, and hop on their bicycles for an uplifting morning ride.”

This year’s event has been made possible by the generosity of several regional sponsors, including: Gold sponsors ICF, Go Alex, and UrbanStems; Silver sponsors Marriott International, BikeArlington, BicycleSPACE, and Verra.

For commuters and teleworkers who haven’t signed up—it’s not too late. It’s fast, free, and easy to register for BTWD online or by calling (800) 745-RIDE. Join the conversation on social media at #BTWD2021.

Although Bike to Work Day happens only once a year, Commuter Connections offers a wide range of services and resources year-round for all commuters.

Visit www.commuterconnections.org/commuters/ and click on ‘bicycling’ for information on rules of the road, bicycle safety, bikesharing and more.

Finding Pandemic Resources

What do you do when you still need the support that’s going away?

Posted by Harold Fisher
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As the pandemic grew in size and scope last year… so did the financial strain on Americans.  The lost of jobs and income pressed so many on all sides.  But governments eventually stepped in with resources like a moratorium on rental evictions.  Utilities and other services gave people breathing room with the elimination of late fees and fines.  Those resources are starting to go away.  A lot of people aren’t recovering as fast.  So what do you do when you still need the support that’s going away?

Resources:

WSSC Water Bill Assistance

Salvation Army Help

Kelly Caplan, Customer Engagement & Advocacy Division Manager, WSSC
Aleata Dawkins, Director of Program Services, The Salvation Army, National Capital Area

 

Hogan Announces Vaccine Lottery

Final drawing will be held on July 4th.

Posted by Harold Fisher
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(Annapolis, MD) — Maryland Governor Larry Hogan putting up two-million-dollars for a COVID-19 vaccine lottery. The Maryland Lottery and the state health department are partnering to give vaccinated residents a chance to win a 40-thousand-dollar prize. The random selections will take place daily from May 25th to July 3rd. Hogan said a final drawing will be held on July 4th, when a Marylander could be awarded 400-thousand-dollars.

 

Capitol Security Bill Heads to Senate

House Approves Bill Significantly Boosting Capitol Security After January 6th Attack

Posted by Harold Fisher
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(Washington, DC) — A bill significantly boosting Capitol security is moving to the Senate after passage by the House. The vote was 213-212. The measure is a response to the January 6th attack on the Capitol. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the funding is “urgently needed now” and should not be controversial. She stressed that the attack brought “trauma and terror” to the Capitol. Republicans opposed the nearly two-billion-dollar Democratic bill, calling it an effort to militarize the Capitol.

Texas Republican Kay Granger acknowledged security breaches that were exposed on January 6th, but said the Capitol must remain open and accessible. Connecticut Democrat Rosa DeLauro called the Capitol attack an assault on America’s democracy. She said an angry mob attacked police officers and ransacked the building. Texas Republican Lance Gooden said Democrats aim to build a permanent wall around the Capitol while ignoring the unfinished wall along the southern border. He argued the measure would “further separate the American people from their elected representatives.” The bill faces an uncertain fate in the tightly-divided Senate.

Issa Rae ‘Sweet Life’ Docuseries Set to Release

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Contributed by Scott Lipscomb

Welcome to the sweet life! There isn’t much Issa Rae can’t do when it comes to acting and producing. This summer Rae and HBO Max are giving us a glimpse on the life of some young adults in South Los Angeles.

Per the logline, Sweet Life: Los Angeles gives an honest and unique look into what it means to be young, Black, and in constant pursuit of one’s dreams in the heart of South Los Angeles. The series follows a group of young, strong-willed, ambitious Black friends showcasing their relatable, authentic and sometimes stumbling mid-20s moments as they embrace the joy and struggles of love and family, while building their careers as tastemakers and influencers in the city where they grew up.

This series will be a positive spin on how some black residents try to map out their life and career paths. The show comes as a part of her deal with Hoorae media label at WarnerMedia.

“We are thrilled to partner with Issa Rae on this fun, dynamic series about a real group of friends and their unique, yet intertwined experiences in South Los Angeles, which has a one-of-a-kind culture that deserves a spotlight all its own,” said Jennifer O’Connell, executive vice president, Non-Fiction and Live-Action Family, HBO Max said Deadline.

Issa Rae’s hit show “Insecure” is set to return for it’s fifth and final season.

Pioneering Comic Paul Mooney, A Writer For Pryor, Dies At 79

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By JAKE COYLE AP Film Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Paul Mooney, a boundary-pushing comedian who was Richard Pryor’s longtime writing partner and whose bold, incisive musings on racism and American life made him a revered figure in stand-up, has died. He was 79. Cassandra Williams, Mooney’s publicist, says he died Wednesday morning at his home in Oakland, California, from a heart attack. Mooney’s friendship and collaboration with Pryor began in 1968 and lasted until Pryor’s death in 2005. Together, they confronted racism perhaps more directly than it ever had been before onstage. Mooney wasn’t as widely known as Pryor, but his influence on comedy was ubiquitous. As head writer on “In Living Color,” Mooney helped create the Homey D. Clown character. He played the future-foretelling Negrodamus on “Chappelle’s Show.”

Empowering Businesswomen in Prince George’s County

“This is Our Time” is this years theme of the Women of Prince George’s County’s Annual Conference

Posted by Bobby Gailes
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Providing education and resources to businesswomen in Prince George’s County.  My guest this morning is part of an organization doing just that.  “Women of Prince George’s” is hosting its 11th Annual Conference tomorrow and I have the details so you can join in.  My guest is Stephanie Bolton James – Founder of Women of Prince George’s

 The Women of Prince George’s, the premier resource for entrepreneurs and businesswomen in Greater Prince George’s County is hosting its 11th Annual Women’s Conference Friday May 21st from 9am to 2pm. For more information go here: 

 

Tune in to Taking it to the Streets, weekday mornings at 6:15, 7:08 and 8:40 on the Steve Harvey Morning Show on 96.3 WHUR.

Follow me on facebook and twitter at @bobbygailes for updates and to stay connected.

 

Listen to this mornings segment here:

HU Set to Host DMV Caribbean Community Vaccination Day

500 Pfizer vaccine shots will be administered Saturday from 9am to 2pm at Howard University in partnership with the DC Department of Health. Registration required. bit.ly/CARICOMHU

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Washington, D.C. (Thursday, May 19, 2021) – 96.3 WHUR, Howard University, and the DC Department of Health are teaming up with the CARICOM Caucus of Ambassadors to host the DMV Caribbean Community Vaccination Day Saturday, May 22 from 9 am – 2 pm ET.

The event will be held at Howard University’s Numa Adams Building at 508 W Street, NW. This vaccine event can accommodate 500 participants, 12 years old.  The Pfizer vaccine will be administered.  Registration is required although limited walk-ups will be accepted. Register at bit.ly/CARICOMHU

Congress Hears from Survivors of 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre

107-year-old Tulsa Oklahoma massacre survivor says she has never seen justice, but is hoping she will before she dies.

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Washington, D.C. – (Wednesday, May 19, 2021) – It was 100 years ago this month that  a white mob came to Greenwood Avenue in Tulsa, Oklahoma and disseminated the Black community there, known as “Black Wall Street.”  Hundreds of Black people were killed, scores of homes and businesses were torched, and thousands were left homeless.

A century later survivors of that massacre are still seeking justice.  107-year-old Viola Fletcher was just 7-years-old at the time.  Today, she recalled the horror, telling Capitol Hill lawmakers about the violence, fires, and screams.  “I will never forget the violence of the white mob when we left our home.  I still see Black men being shot, Black bodies lying in the street.  I still smell smoke and see fire.”

Fletcher told a House Judiciary Subcommittee Wednesday that at 107-years-old she still has not seen justice.  But she prays someday that she will.  Fletcher, along with her 100-year-old brother Hughes Vann Ellis and another survivor 106-year-old Lessie Benningfield Randle, appeared before the subcommittee to push for reparations for what is believed to be the single worst incident of racial violence in American history.

The three are plaintiffs in  a reparations lawsuit filed last year, arguing that the state of Oklahoma and the city of Tulsa are responsible for what happened during that two day massacre on May 31st and June 1st 1921.

“Please do not let me leave this earth without justice, like all the other massacre survivors,” said Vann Ellis as he concluded his testimony.

Seven More Charged in U.S. Capitol Attack

New round of arrests announced following US Capitol breach

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BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — A woman heard shouting at police to “Bring Nancy Pelosi out” to be hanged during the attack on the U.S. Capitol is among those charged in a new round of arrests stemming from the Jan. 6 insurrection. Pauline Bauer of Kane, Pennsylvania, faces the most serious charge in this latest round.  She is among two Pennsylvania residents and five from upstate New York charged Wednesday with being part of a mob of former President Donald Trump’s supporters who pushed past police officers and broke through windows and doors. Bauer appeared during an online court hearing and was released on bond.

Trump Criminal Investigation

NY attorney general says Trump Org probe is now criminal

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NEW YORK (AP) — The New York attorney general’s office says that it is conducting a criminal investigation into former President Donald Trump’s business empire, expanding what had previously been a civil probe. Attorney General Letitia James’ investigators are working with the Manhattan district attorney’s office, which has been conducting a criminal investigation into Trump and his company, the Trump Organization, for two years. The Manhattan DA’s office obtained Trump’s tax records after a long legal fight in February. A message seeking comment was left with a lawyer for Trump.

 

3-Year-old Dies of Gunshot Wound in PG County

Prince George’s County police are trying to determine if fatal shooting of toddler was an accident.

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(Washington, D.C.) – Prince George’s County Police have few details in shooting a shooting Monday night that has now left a toddler dead.  The 3-year-old died of his injuries Tuesday night after being shot inside a Bowie, Md apartment.

It happened around 5:45pm Tuesday in the 16400 block of Governors Bridge Road.  Police say the child did not live at the apartment.  But was there with a parent visiting.  Shortly after arriving at the apartment, the child was shot.  Police say they are trying to determine if the shooting was accidental or something else.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 301-516-2512.  Callers wishing to remain anonymous, can call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

DC Police Search for Gunman in Mother Son Shooting

Suspect remains at-large in the shooting of a DC mother and her four-year-old son. Both remain in critical condition.

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Washington, D.C.(Wednesday, May 19, 2021) – DC police continue to search for a gunman who opened fire Tuesday evening on a family outside their Logan Circle home in the 15-hundred block of 10th Street, NW.

The mother and her young child, a 4-year-old boy.  Both are said to be in critical condition at a local hospital.  Police Chief Robert Contee described the suspect as a male wearing dark clothing and a mask who fled on foot.  Contee said the shooting involved a minor dispute between the mother and the suspect over a street scooter. The two apparently did not know each other.  Chief Contee had this message for the gunman.  “The Metropolitan Police Department is coming and that he should be ashamed of himself for what he did to this family.”

Doing More For Your Community

Make a difference and donate today to help your favorite charity

Posted by Bobby Gailes
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 Today, you have an opportunity to make a big impact in our community.  United Way of the National Capital Area is hosting its 9th Annual Do More 24 campaign.  My guest is Nedelka Phillips – Senior Vice President United Way National Capital Area

Do More 24 is Wednesday, May 19 from midnight to midnight. For more information and to choose your favorite charity, go here:

Tune in to Taking it to the Streets, weekday mornings at 6:15, 7:08 and 8:40 on the Steve Harvey Morning Show on 96.3 WHUR.

Follow me on facebook and twitter at @bobbygailes for updates and to stay connected.

Listen to this mornings segment here:

Masks and Teen COVID Vaccines

To mask or not to mask?

Posted by Harold Fisher
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After many months of regional and state executive orders requiring the wearing of masks to prevent the spread of COVID… we are now seeing restrictions lifted everywhere.  But they aren’t the same everywhere.  Why not?  What are we supposed to do about wearing them if we’re vaccinated or not vaccinated? We take a look at these changes and the latest information in the vaccination of children over 12-years-old.

Dr. Marilyn Mcpherson-Corder, Pediatrician, Adjuct Professor, Howard University College of Medicine

Dr. Reed Tuckson, Co-founder, Black Coalition Against COVID-19
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Child Shot In Bowie

Toddler is in critical condition.

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(Bowie, MD) — A three-year-old boy is hospitalized in critical condition after he was shot last evening. Bowie police say officers were called to an apartment on Governor Bridge Road and found the toddler inside the apartment suffering from a gunshot wound. The child was rushed to the hospital where he was treated for his injury. There is no word if the child was home alone or if there was someone inside the apartment with him. Prince George’s County Police have taken over the investigation.

 

Posted by Harold Fisher Posted on 3146 articles

Dr. Charles Jenkins Announces New Music

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Dr. Charles Jenkins gave a taste of news songs sung by Shirley Caesar and Stephanie Mills on his new album Praise Party Volume One that will be released June 25th and followed by a virtual concert on June 27 featuring Pastor Caesar, Dottie Peoples, and others. Tickets will be available on praisepartyexperience.com on May 22.   His new book “Seasons” is available on charlesjenkins.com.

Prosecutors Say Andrew Brown, Jr., Shooting Was Justified

Pasquotank County Sheriff’s deputies shot and killed Brown when he tried to drive away while they served a warrant.

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(Elizabeth City, NC) — A North Carolina prosecutor says police deputies involved in the shooting of Andrew Brown Jr. were “justified” in their use of deadly force. District Attorney Andrew Womble said Brown’s decision to flee quickly escalated the situation to an employment of force. He argued that shots were not fired until Brown’s vehicle moved forward as officers surrounded him on foot. Womble showed never-before-seen body cam footage to clearly illustrate that the officers’ use of deadly force was done “reasonably.”

Pasquotank County Sheriff’s deputies shot and killed Brown when he tried to drive away while they served a drug-related search and arrest warrant last month.

J Cole Makes Pro Basketball Debut

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Contributed by Scott Lipscomb

J. Cole, the North Carolina Rapper and now professional basketball player, made his debut with the Patriots Basketball Club on Sunday and held his own on the court in the Basketball Africa League.

While some may think Cole pursuing hoops is a surprise, he was a high school standout as well as even walked on to the St. John’s team in college. Also having many lyrics referencing hoops, it’s no secret that Cole loves basketball and is a fan of many players in the NBA.

“Cole, whose real name is Jermaine Cole, finished with three points, three rebounds and two assists in just under 18 minutes of action as the Patriots, who are based in Kigali, Rwanda, took on the Rivers Hoopers Basketball Club. His first points came on a putback layup off of a miss by Steve Hagumintwari in the final minute of the first quarter.” Via ESPN.

With his latest album “The Off-Season” on pace to debut at number 1 on the charts, it seems the rapper and new pro athlete really doesn’t ever take a break.

Child Reporter Who Interviewed Obama Passes

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Contributed by Scott Lipscomb

It feels like 2009 was just yesterday, when child reporter Damon Weaver interviewed then President Barack Obama.

Weaver, who was 11 at the time, interviewed Obama in the Diplomatic Room in 2009. The interview focused on education topics such as school lunches, bullying, conflict resolution and how to succeed via Yahoo.

Weaver, who passed away from natural causes, was 23 and a student at Albany State in Georgia where he was studying communications.

Teachers saw a spark in him even at a young age, ““Damon was the kid who ran after me in the hall to tell me he was interested,” his teacher, Brian Zimmerman, told the Post in 2016. “And right away, I just saw the potential for the way he was on camera. You could see his personality come through. He wasn’t nervous being on camera.”

Damon interviewed major celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Wade.

Our prayers and condolences go to his family and friends.

Spelman Renaming Building After Samuel L Jackson

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Two AUC legends are now forever enshrined after having Spelman College’s performing arts building named after them. LaTanya Richard Jackson(Spelman ‘71) and Samuel L Jackson(Morehouse ‘72) are the honorees of the new building.

Richard Jackson who is a producer, director and actress developed her skills at Spelman’s Baldwin Burroughs Theatre alongside future movie mainstay Jackson, BlackEnterprise reports.

“Their auspicious debut in plays produced by Spelman’s Department of Drama catapulted the couple into award-winning careers spanning nearly 50 years of artistic excellence and theatrical success,” Spelman said in a press release.

Richard Jackson has appeared in many film festivals including the New York Shakespeare Festival where she appeared in the critically acclaimed “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.”

Samuel L Jackson is an Oscar nominated actor who appeared in movies such as Pulp Fiction, Star Wars and even the Avengers.

“We are grateful for their gift and that of the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation, Bank of America and David Rockefeller Jr. to renovate the space where these beloved talents got their start,” Spelman president Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., said in a statement. “Pioneers and leaders in producing important stories, LaTanya and Sam’s excellence will forever resonate in the arts center named for them.”

Your Mental Health Matters

WHUR and WUSA 9 are teaming up for a day of mental wellness

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We are focusing on Mental Health this morning.  WHUR is teaming up with WUSA9 tomorrow for an important conversation entitled Mental Health Matters.  I have the details on how you can take part.  My guest is Lesli Foster – WUSA 9 News Anchor

WHUR is teaming up with WUSA9 for a day of mental wellness.   We will host a two-part virtual discussion entitled Mental Health Matters Wednesday, May 19th at 8am and 12:30pm.  For more information go here:

Tune in to Taking it to the Streets, weekday mornings at 6:15, 7:08 and 8:40 on the Steve Harvey Morning Show on 96.3 WHUR.

Follow me on facebook and twitter at @bobbygailes for updates and to stay connected.

Listen to this mornings segment here:

Part 1:

Part 2:

United Way NCA, Do More 24

The United Way of the National Capital Area will spend 24 hours raising money in support of needy populations with Do More 24.

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Things are rapidly changing as we move to back to a pre-pandemic way of life.  But for some… getting back on their feet will be much more difficult.  The hungry are hungrier.  Those living on the edge of society with few resources before the pandemic… have struggled mightily since and need even more help now.  On Wednesday… The United Way of the National Capital Area will, once again, spend 24 hours raising money in support of needy populations with Do More 24.

Resources:

Do More 24

Rosie Allen Herring, CEO and President, The United Way of the National Capital Area
Leah Paley, Executive Director, Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

Gas Shortage Eases But Many Stations Still Out

About 70-percent of stations in and around Washington, DC were out.

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(Undated) — Gas shortages on the East Coast are easing after a thousand more stations got supplies as the nation’s biggest pipeline network recovers from last week’s shutdown. But many more stations were still are dry Sunday. The 55-hundred-mile Colonial Pipeline transported no fuel for six days as the most disruptive cyber attack on record choked off the supply of gas, diesel, and jet fuel throughout the eastern U.S. About 70-percent of stations in and around Washington, DC were out. There was no fuel in more than half the stations in North Carolina while fewer than half the stations were dry in South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, and Georgia.

Water Utility Blames Wipes For Clogging Pipes

WSSC water says it has removed more than 700 tons of wipes from a wastewater pumping station since 2020

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(Capitol Heights, MD) — An urgent plea is going out to residents in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties to stop flushing sanitary wipes down the toilet. WSSC  says it has removed more than 700 tons of wipes from a wastewater pumping station since 2020 and the problem is getting worse. The utility says an excessive amount of so-called flushable wipes are clogging the sewer mains and causing untreated wastewater to overflow into nearby waterways. Officials are hoping more people will comply by only flushing toilet paper down the toilet and toss wipes in the trash.

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Drake To Receive Artist Of The Decade

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Whether you first heard Drake on his hit song “Hotline Bling”, or maybe you were asking KeKe if she loved you after the summer 2018 anthem “In My Feelings”, or running through the 6 with your woes in 2015 after “Know Yourself”, it’s safe to say Drake has been in control of the airways.

 

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First debuting on the Billboard in 2009 with hit song “Best I Ever Had”, Drake would go on to have one of the most dominant reigns on the Billboard Charts. The reign included a record breaking run which included the most Hot 100 top 10s, sitting at an absurd 45 entries and counting, as well the most overall entries at a massive 232. The self proclaimed “6 man” also ironically has 6 Hot 100 number 1s. Drake also holds the record for most BBMAs( Billboard Music Awards).

“Drake’s dominance during the 2010s wins him top honors in the overall top artist category, which ranks the best-performing artists based on activity on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart and the Billboard 200 albums tally, as well as social media data and touring revenue from Billboard Boxscore, during the decade” wrote Billboard in a statement on their website

Drake catches the torch from the previous winners Eminem in the 2000s and Mariah Carey of the 90s.

Like his newest top song “What’s Next” we’ll have to wait and see what crazy record Drake breaks next.

“Billboard’s Top Artists of the 2010s:
1, Drake
2, Taylor Swift
3, Bruno Mars
4, Rihanna
5, Adele
6, Ed Sheeran
7, Justin Bieber
8, Katy Perry
9, Maroon 5
10, Post Malone” Via Billboard.com
NBC will broadcast live the Billboard Music Awards Sunday, May 23 starting at 8pm EST.

 

Atlanta Dream Announce First All Black Broadcast Crew

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Contributed by Scott Lipscomb

The WNBA has been in the headlines this past year as leaders for social change and breaking barriers. The Atlanta Dream joined that cycle as bringing in their first fully black women broadcast team to call home games.

“As the Atlanta Dream experiences new beginnings we are extremely excited to announce our new broadcast team for the 2021 season,” said Renee Montgomery, Dream co-owner and vice president. “This broadcast team of all women is another positive step in our goal of providing empowerment to the diverse Atlanta community. It’s exciting knowing that moments such as these will create momentum, and we plan to keep that same level of energy moving forward.” via the teams press release.

The team consists of returning award winning color analyst LaChina Robinson who will be entering her 12th year with the team. Robinson will also be joined by former Georgia Tech standout basketball player Tabitha Turner who worked with the team back in 2017 and 2018. Florida standout Angel Gray also joins the broadcast crew after doing sideline reporting for the team in 2015 and 2016. Autumn Johnson, who is an award winning analyst and current host of the 2kLeagues weekly series, joins the crew to round out the 4 women squad.

“Excited is an understatement for me,” Turner said. “I truly feel blessed to be back with such an amazing, talented team that led the way in the fight for social justice and equality throughout the pandemic. Between the leadership of everyone involved and the high level of talent on this team, waiting to get started is the hardest part and I’m glad to be along for the ride!

The strides the Dream and WNBA are taking will hopefully continue to grow the trend of more women in sports! Be sure to catch the Atlanta Dream in their season opener this Friday

 

LeVar Burton To Start Book Club

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Contributed by Scott Lipscomb


You probably have seen Kunta Kinte from Roots, or Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge in the Star Trek: The Next Generation franchise, or the Reading Rainbow host LeVar Burton. The newly announced Jeopardy guest host recently started a book club in partnership with the app Fable.

Many viewers grew up with a love of books and reading due to the show “Reading Rainbow” which aired on PBS from 1983-2006.

“As a lifelong advocate for literacy, the opportunity to launch my book club on Fable’s wonderful new platform is extremely exciting and timely,” Burton said in a statement Tuesday. “This partnership will help foster the importance of storytelling while sharing my love of reading.” via USA Today

The first title chosen was “Go Tell It on the Mountain” , a 1953 novel by the legendary black author James Baldwin. The next two titles are rounded out by Octavia Butler’s “Parable of the Sower” and “The Fire This Time,” a poetry and essay collection edited by two-time National Book Award-winner Jesmyn Ward.

Outside of his new book club, Burton is excited to begin work with the talk show Jeopardy. “This is something that I really think is a good idea,” he said, appearing on an April episode of USA TODAY’s The Mothership podcast. “I think it’s a good fit of what the show is, what the show requires and what I feel like I bring to the table.”

After longtime host Alex Trebek passed away to cancer, the show has not announced a new permanent host. Burton looks to provide “justice to the legacy of Alex.”

What books will you be looking to read this summer?

 

Moms and Me: A Time to Heal With Our Daughters

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Mothers and daughters, one of the most loving relationships many will experience. But it can get complicated. Ladies you know, when your mini me turns into a mini you don’t know. How do you handle those rocky times and smooth things over? This is Harold Fisher. Join me Wednesday, May 19th @ 7pm for a special WHUR WHUT-TV edition of the Daily Drum. “Moms and Me, A Time to Heal With Our Daughters.” The Daily Drum on 96.3 WHUR, WHUT-TV and whur.com. Better TOGETHER!

Maya Angelou To Be Featured On New Quarters

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Contributed by Scott Lipscomb

The late Maya Angelou will be one of the first women on the new quarters the US Mint is releasing starting 2022. The Mint will be releasing special quarters featuring spectacular women from 2022 to 2025 American Women Quarters Program.

Angelou was a best selling poet and author best known for her poem “Still I Rise” and books such as “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.” However she also was a civil rights activist with Dr.King and Malcom X, Hollywood’s first black women director, and a composer among many other things Black Enterprise wrote on their article.

Angelou was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Bill Clinton 2000. While in 2010 she earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Angelou, who passed away in 2014, is regarded not only as one of the best poets ever but one of the best poets and literary figures. Her work is studied and taught in many high schools and universities across the country.

“As authorized by Public Law 116-330—the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020—the Mint will issue circulating and numismatic quarter-dollar coins with reverse (tails) designs emblematic of the accomplishments and contributions of a prominent American woman beginning in January 2022. Contributions may come from a wide spectrum of fields including, but not limited to, suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, and the arts. The women honored will come from ethnically, racially, and geographically diverse backgrounds. As the Public Law requires that no living person be featured in the coin designs, all of the women honored must be deceased. The Mint will annually issue up to five different reverse designs over the four-year period beginning in 2022 and continuing through 2025.” said the US Mint via their website.

Along with Angelou, Dr.Sally Ride, the first American woman to visit space, will be honored on the first set of coins

To help select the next honorees the Mint has a survey available.

The coins will start circulating in January of 2022.

Making A Plan For Ward 8

The Ward 8 Planning Process wants input from the community

Posted by Bobby Gailes
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Calling all my Ward 8 residents.  An effort is underway to get input from the community on what you would like to see in your community moving forward.  This morning I have the details on how you can speak up and speak out.  My guest is Mustafa Abdul Salaam – Facilitator for the Ward 8 Community Economic Development Planning Process

Ward 8 Community Economic Development Planning Process wants to engage local residents in data collection, goal-setting, and planning to create a comprehensive economic development plan for Ward 8. For more information go here:

 Tune in to Taking it to the Streets, weekday mornings at 6:15, 7:08 and 8:40 on the Steve Harvey Morning Show on 96.3 WHUR.

Follow me on facebook and twitter at @bobbygailes for updates and to stay connected.

 

Listen to this mornings segment here:

Disciplining Your Children

Contemporary alternatives to corporal punishment.

Posted by Harold Fisher
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How should you discipline your young children?  It is an age-old question. What are your options?  Time out?  Taking away privileges?  Reasoning with them?  What about spanking? Our guest offers contemporary alternatives to corporal punishment.

Resources:

Carol Muleta, Parenting Strategist

 

Carol Muleta, Parenting Strategist