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VA Attorney General’s Wants Marijuana Decriminalized

He wants lawmakers to legalize and eventually regulate pot in the state

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Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring is calling on lawmakers to loosen some of its laws involving marijuana in the state.

On Saturday, Herring wrote an op-ed in the Daily Press stating that the Common Wealth’s current laws on possessions of small amounts of marijuana is needlessly creating criminals. According to the attorney general’s office, first-time marijuana convictions has jumped 53% from 2008 to 2017. Marijuana possession charges have spiked 115% from around 13,000 in 2003 to over 28,000 in 2017. In addition to that, he says the laws disproportionally affect African American and people of color.

Shockingly he said that African American’s who only make up 20% of the state population made up 46% of the people arrested as first time offenders for possession between 2007 to 2016.

He wants lawmakers to legalize and eventually regulate pot in the state. Herring also wrote that the cost of enforcing the current law cost taxpayers $81 million dollars a year.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

Helping Non-Profits Take Their Business To the Next Level

Howard University School of Business is sponsoring a conference for Non-profits

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Taking your non-profit to the next level.  A free conference is coming up this week to help non-profits successfully navigate fundraising campaigns.  My guest is Dr. Anthony Wilbon – Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Administration in the Howard University School of Business

Howard University School of Business is sponsoring a conference entitled “Innovative Approaches to Fundraising for Nonprofits” Wednesday, June 19thfrom 8:30am to 3pm in the School of Business Auditorium.  More information here:

Tune in to Taking it to the Streets, weekday mornings at 6:15, 7:08 and 8:35 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:

Rapper T.I. And Atlanta Church Work To End Mass Imprisonment

Ebenezer said T.I. will be participating in helping to bail out of jail dozens of poor and working-class citizens in the Atlanta area.

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ATLANTA (AP) — Music artist T.I. is lending his voice to a project involving the late Martin Luther King Jr.’s home church in Atlanta.

Ebenezer Baptist Church plans a three-day conference at the historic church in Atlanta to address mass incarcerations.

The Rev. Raphael Warnock said in a statement that the End Mass Incarceration Conference will run Monday through Wednesday at the church.

Warnock said goals of the conference include helping communities to fight the rise of the prison industrial complex in the United States and systems that unfairly imprison people of color.

Ebenezer said T.I. will be participating in helping to bail out of jail dozens of poor and working-class citizens in the Atlanta area.

Police In Upper Marlboro Are Searching For Driver In Red Pick Up Truck

Nasid was a rising 9th grader who had just graduated from Georgetown Day School.

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The Bowie community is mourning the loss of one of their own. 14-year-old Kamal Nasid was hit and killed as he jogged in his neighborhood on Saturday.

The accident happened as the teen tried to cross busy Church Road and Fairview Vista Drive. The driver of the red pick up stopped for Nasid. Unfortunately the driver in the other lane did not striking the teen. He was rushed to the hospital where he later passed away.

The driver of the striking vehicle stayed on the scene and spoke with police. Officials believe the driver of the red truck could provide some vital information in this case.

Nasid was a rising 9th grader who had just graduated from Georgetown Day School. He leaves behind a mother and father and three siblings.

Neighbors spoke to the media saying that they had been asking that something be done to the roadway for years. Some say it was just a matter of time before some tragic like this happened.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

Fatherhood Part 2

How fathers connect with their children under difficult or unique circumstances.

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We continue our two-part look at the role fathers play in the lives of their children.  We’re examining how fathers under different circumstances… manage the connection and the love for their children.

Resources:

FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND EVENTS

DC FATHERHOOD CELEBRATION

SATURDAY, JUNE 15TH 2019

FATHER’S FIELD DAY FAMILY FUN

MARVIN GAYE REC. CENTER

TIME: 11:00AM-2PM

 

FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE

SATURDAY, JUNE 15TH 2019

LOCATION: POSH CYCLING AND FITNESS CENTER

9925 ISLAND AVE. COLLEGE PARK MD. 20740

 

SUNDAY JUNE 16TH

BLESSING OF THE FATHERS & AWARDS

UNION TEMPLE BAPTIST CHURCH

 

MEN OF PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY SCHOOLS FATHERHOOD FORUM

DATE: MONDAY, JUNE 17TH2019

TIME: 6:30PM

LOCATION: FAIRMOUNT HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL (AUDITORIUM)

6501 COLUMBIA PARK ROAD

LANDOVER, MD. 20785

Rev. Dr. Roderick Avery, Entrepreneur and married father of seven
David Smith, Vice President, 100 Fathers Inc., Father of two

 

Ben Rice, Fitness Trainer and father of three

Gun Shop Thieves Still On The Run

Police are still searching for the men who robbed a Rockville gun shop on Thursday. Another man in the group was killed after police shot into the robbers’ get away car. The car was later abandoned.

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Police are still on the lookout for four armed and dangerous suspects who robbed a Rockville gun shop. Authorities say the men broke into the United Gun Shop off Randolph Road yesterday morning. In the thieves escape, their SUV rammed into a police cruiser. Police shot into the car. The SUV was found a few blocks away with one of the men dead inside and four others on the run.  Police are investigating whether the Rockville break-in is connected to the robbery of a Howard County gun store earlier this week.

DC Police Officer Arrested For Sexual Assault

An off duty DC police officer has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a women who was under his therapeutic care. Officer Pearce Then and the victim appraently knew each other.

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A D.C. police officer has been arrested and charged with sexual abuse. Officer Pearce Then is accused of sexually assaulting a client who was receiving therapeutic treatment from him Monday night in the 3600 block of 16th Street Northwest. Police said Then was off duty and knew the victim.  D.C. police Chief Peter Newsham said Then’s actions “are a disgrace to everyone who wears a badge….”

VA Lt. Governor Calls For Investigation. His Accusers Call It A Stunt

Justin Fairfax’s lawyers want state prosecutors to investigate claims that Fairfax sexually abused two women, if not, they want prosecutors to drop the matter. Fairfax’s two accusers stand by their claims.

Posted by Andrea Muñoz
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The women accusing Virginia Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax of sexual assault are reacting to Fairfax urging a formal investigation of the claims. This comes after attorneys for Fairfax directed letters this week to prosecutors in several states, urging for the matter to either be looked into or dropped. Dr. Vanessa Tyson’s attorneys call the letter a political stunt. Tyson accused Fairfax of forcing her to perform oral sex after meeting at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston. A statement from the attorney of Meredith Watson says Fairfax’s claim that he is being blackmailed by her is defamatory. Fairfax claims both encounters were consensual.

Missy Elliott, In Tears, Gets Inducted Into Songwriters Hall

“Missy, I want to thank you for all of your trailblazing ways,” Obama said in a taped video that aired during the event. “Thank you not for just sharing your gift with the world, but for being an advocate for so many people out there, especially young girls who are still figuring out how to make their voices heard.”

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NEW YORK (AP) — Missy Elliott, the creative mastermind who has written hit songs for a number of female acts and created camaraderie among women in the music industry for more than two decades, felt the love back from her musical sisters as she became the first female rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

During a performance, breakthrough singer-rapper Lizzo brought Elliott’s colorful and eccentric music videos to life in an ensemble similar to what Elliott sported in the late ’90s — the finger wave hairdo included. Da Brat, fiery as ever, joined Lizzo onstage for “Sock It 2 Me” in New York on Thursday night.

Queen Latifah, a Grammy, Emmy and Golden Globe winner, inducted Elliott with kind words as she paid homage to their long-lasting friendship. And even former first lady Michelle Obama took her turn to say how much of a Missy Elliott fan she is.

“Missy, I want to thank you for all of your trailblazing ways,” Obama said in a taped video that aired during the event. “Thank you not for just sharing your gift with the world, but for being an advocate for so many people out there, especially young girls who are still figuring out how to make their voices heard.”

It all brought Elliott to tears: Near the end of her 10-minute speech, the Grammy winner broke down after telling funny and deep stories about how her creative mind worked as a child.

“I am thankful,” she said, pausing for a few seconds.

“Every time I come up to a podium … even with all the work that I’ve done, I don’t know, and I’m assuming it’s just God, I don’t know why I am here,” she said with tears in her eyes as the audience erupted with cheers and applause. “I want to say one thing to the writers, to the upcoming writers, ‘Do not give up.’ We all go through writer’s block. Sometimes you just have to walk away from a record and come back to it. But don’t give up because I’m standing here. And this is big for hip-hop, too.”

Elliott is just the third rapper to enter into the Songwriters Hall, following Jay-Z and Jermaine Dupri’s inductions in 2017 and 2018, respectively. While she’s written her own hit songs — from “Get Ur Freak On” to “Work It” to “Lose Control” — Elliott has also lent her writing skills to others — specifically girl groups and pop and R&B soloists, including the late icon Aaliyah, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Monica, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Ariana Grande, Destiny’s Child, Fantasia, Jazmine Sullivan, SWV, Total, 702, Mya, Tweet and others.

Raptors Capture First NBA Title, Beat Warriors In Game 6

“I wanted to make history here. That’s what I did,” a soaking wet Leonard said, ski goggles perched on his forehead and sporting a fresh black champions hat.

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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Kawhi Leonard raised his arms high in triumph and celebrated Canada’s first NBA championship.

“We the North!” is now “We the Champs!”

Leonard and the Toronto Raptors captured the country’s first major title in 26 years with their most remarkable road win yet in the franchise’s NBA Finals debut, outlasting the battered and depleted two-time defending champion Golden State Warriors 114-110 on Thursday night in a Game 6 for the ages.

“I wanted to make history here. That’s what I did,” a soaking wet Leonard said, ski goggles perched on his forehead and sporting a fresh black champions hat.

Stephen Curry missed a contested 3-pointer in the waning moments before Golden State called a timeout it didn’t have, giving Leonard a technical free throw with 0.9 seconds left to seal it. Leonard, the NBA Finals MVP for a second time, then got behind Andre Iguodala for a layup as the buzzer sounded, but it went to review and the basket was called off before Leonard’s two free throws. That only delayed the celebration for a moment.

When it actually ended, the typically stoic Leonard could let it all out. A Canadian team — and we’re not talking hockey here — stood on top of one of the traditional major sports leagues for the first time since the Toronto Blue Jays won the 1993 World Series.

Serge Ibaka pulled his head up through the hoop by the Golden State bench as the crowd chanted “Warriors! Warriors!” after a sensational send-off at Oracle Arena.

Curry walked away slowly, hands on his head on a night Splash Brother Klay Thompson suffered a torn ACL in his left knee and departed with 30 points.

Fred VanVleet rescued the Raptors down the stretch with his dazzling shooting from deep to score 22 points with five 3s off the bench, while Leonard wound up with 22 points. Kyle Lowry scored the game’s first eight points and finished with 26 in all to go with 10 assists and seven rebounds.

Fans poured into the streets in Toronto, screaming and honking horns after the Raptors pulled off a third straight win on Golden State’s home floor that said goodbye to NBA basketball after 47 seasons. And the Raptors did it with the very kind of depth that helped define Golden State’s transformation into a dynasty the past five seasons.

This time, the Warriors were wounded.

Golden State already was down two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant, who had surgery Wednesday for a ruptured right Achilles tendon. Then, the Warriors lost Thompson — and they couldn’t overcome just one more heartbreaking injury.

“A lot of bad breaks in the finals, to be honest,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said. “Like us, they kept on playing. We just had to keep on playing no matter who was out there. And I think they were super intense high-level games and both teams desperately trying to win.”

This thrilling back-and-forth game featured 18 lead changes, nine ties and neither team going ahead by more than nine points.

Curry scored 21 points but shot just 6 for 17 and went 3 of 11 on 3s. Iguodala added 22 for his biggest game this postseason as the Warriors did everything until the very last moment to leave a lasting legacy at Oracle.

Thompson provided his own dramatic memory. He injured his knee when fouled by Danny Green on a drive at the 2:22 mark of the third, was helped off the court and walked partially down a tunnel toward the locker room, then — shockingly — re-emerged to shoot his free throws before going out again at 2:19. He didn’t return and left the arena on crutches, and the Warriors announced that an MRI had confirmed the torn ACL.

“More than the what-ifs is just feeling bad for the players involved. Injuries are always part of the NBA season — any professional sport, injuries play a huge role,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “It’s just the nature of these injuries, the severity of these injuries. And we’ll know more about Klay. But we can sit here and say, well, if this hadn’t happened or that hadn’t happened, that doesn’t matter. What matters is Kevin Durant is going to miss next season with an Achilles tear and Klay suffered a knee injury.”

In their best Bay Area version of Jurassic Park — Toronto’s jam-packed gathering spot to cheer the Raptors — hundreds of red-clad fans stayed long after the game ended to watch the Larry O’Brien trophy ceremony. They waved the Maple Leaf and sang “O Canada” just as they did here after winning previously this series.

Lowry’s hot start was almost fitting. It was the Toronto guard who got shoved on the sideline in Game 3 by Warriors minority owner Mark Stevens, now banned by the league and team for a year.

The Raptors, in their 24th season of existence, rallied from two games down to beat the Bucks in the Eastern Conference finals then took down the mighty Warriors on their home floor to deny Golden State a three-peat.

The Raptors went 8 for 32 on 3s in a 106-105 Game 5 defeat as the Warriors staved off elimination Monday in Toronto. They started 5 of 6 from long range in this one and finished 13 of 33 and converted 23 of 29 free throws.

Curry and these Warriors never, ever count themselves out. Yet down 3-1 in their fifth straight NBA Finals, they didn’t have the health it took to win the past two titles and three of the past four against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“This five-year run’s been awesome but I definitely don’t think it’s over,” Curry said.

TIP-INS

Raptors: Leonard scored 732 points this postseason and on Thursday passed Allen Iverson (723) for fourth place and Hakeem Olajuwon (725) for third on the NBA’s single-postseason scoring list. James is second with 748 accomplished last year behind Michael Jordan’s 759 points in 1992. … Toronto 9-16 all-time at Oracle Arena but 4-0 overall this season.

Warriors: Thompson’s 374 career postseason 3s passed James (370) for third place on the career playoff list, trailing only Curry (470) and Ray Allen (385). … Thompson notched his second 30-point performance this postseason, 13th of his career and fourth in a finals game despite not playing the entire fourth quarter.

FOR OAKLAND

A gold rally towel read FOR OAK on one line and LAND on the next with the K and D lined up in white — a clever way to also pay tribute to Durant with his initials “KD.”

Kerr narrated a pregame tribute to Oracle’s legacy on the big screen.

In the 2,070th game at Oracle, the Warriors sold out their 343rd consecutive game and said farewell at last to the place they called home nearly five decades. Now, Golden State will move its games, practices and day-to-day operations to new Chase Center in San Francisco beginning next season.

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More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

DC Housing Expo, George Wallace, The Juneteenth Celebration and More !

There’s so much going on this weekend for the entire family to enjoy.

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Weekend Haps Update:

The DC Housing Expo and Home Show is Saturday, June 15thfrom 10am to 3pm at the Washington Convention Center. WHUR is giving away a complete living room makeover worth nearly $5,000.  Stop by and say hello to our very own Renee Nash.

 

Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club presents George Wallace with special guest Cocoa Brown tonight for two shows 7pm and 10pm.  The on Sunday (Father’s Day) it’s an “Ol Skool” concert featuring Zapp & Brick for two shows, 3pm and 7pm.  Hosted by Mr. C.

 

The Harlem Fine Arts Show is celebrating its 10thAnniversary and returns to the DMV at Howard Universitythis weekend from Friday to Sunday.  June 14th– June 16th.  More information here: 

 

The Juneteenth Celebration takes place Saturday, June 15thfrom 12pm to 5pm at Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.   More information can be found here:

 

Step Afrika, the most celebrated dance company in the world dedicated to stepping, returns the Washington DC area and is running through June 16that the Harte Theatre on the campus of Catholic University.  More information here:

Old School Hip Hop Showdown Volume 1 is this Saturday at  DAR Constitution Hall, with all the greatest Hip Hop artists of all time on one stage.  Featuring,  Doug E Fresh, Whodini, Mc Lyte, Kool Moe Dee, Dana Dane, DJ Kool, this Saturday, June 15th, at Constitution Hall. Show time is 7:30pm

 

Also on Saturday, check out “DMV Funk 2019”–  a Food, Wine and Music festival, featuring Heatwave,Clones of Funk, In Gratitude -Tribute to Earth Wind and Fire, The Feeling the Funk Band, Special Guest Choc’Let(formerly of Graham Central Station).  Lanham Sports and Entertainment Complex, 7700 Good Luck Rd Lanham MD, this Saturday June, 15th from 11AM to 6PM.

 

The musical Spunk…Three Tales by Zora Neal Hurston is playing at the Signature Theatre through June 23rd. Ticket information here:

 

The DC Jazz Festival at a variety of venues around the city.  For a list of events go here:

Tune in to Taking it to the Streets, weekday mornings at 6:15, 7:08 and 8:35 on the Steve Harvey Morning Show on 96.3 WHUR.

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

Summer Reading Program, July 4th Celebration, and More Inside Community’s Choice

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July 4th Celebration

Enjoy food, fun, and fireworks. Come out to the Annual Fort Meade Red, White and Blue Celebration June 28th. www.home.army.mil/meade

Summer Reading

Get your reading on. The Montgomery County Public Libraries’ Summer Read and Learn program is underway. www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library

Alpha Men’s Health Forum

Get the education and awareness you need to live your healthiest life.  Come out to the Alpha Phi Alpha Men’s Health forum June 22nd at the Greenbelt Crowne Plaza. www.pul1906.org.

Walk 4 Recovery

Lace up your walking shoes. The 2nd Annual DC Walk 4 Recovery is June 22nd on the National Mall. 202-491-3332.

Blue Flowers

The Blue Flowers Organization is hosting a free workshop. Caring for the Caregiver June 22nd at the North Laurel Community Center. www.blueflowers.org

Foreclosure Hotline

Are you facing foreclosure? It’s time to make the call. Housing Counseling Services has a free foreclosure prevention hotline. 202-265-2255.

Town Hall

Hear from local experts on how to address affordable housing, health literacy and food access in the District’s East End. Come out June 27th to the Ward Infinity Town Hall Forum at the Rise Demonstration Center. www.sibley.org/wardinfinity.

Gallery Gala

The Gallery Dance Collective invites you to its 2nd annual gala June 22nd at the Filmore Silver Spring. www.musecdt.org

Street In Front of NASA Headquarters Has A New Name… Hidden Figures Way.

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Washington, D.C. (June 13, 2019) – The street outside of NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. has a new name to reflect the rich history and legacy of the three pioneering African American women.  The new name is Hidden Figures Way, honoring the works of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, the so-called “human computers” who did the complex calculations that made space travel possible.

Hidden Figures is the name of the book and movie that celebrate the contributions of Johnson, and Vaughan.  The families of the women were on hand of the unveiling along with Margot Lee Shetterly, the author of the award-winning book.

“Naming this street Hidden Figures Way serves to remind us, and everyone who comes here, of the standard that was set by these women, with their commitment to science and their embodiment of the values of equality, justice and humanity,” said Shetterly who spoke to WHUR’s Taylor Thomas following the unveiling.

Long before computers were invented, humans were trusted to perform the complex math calculations and for NASA those truly extraordinary skills came from its black women employees.  While their skills were widely relied upon in the 1950s, the story about their work and importance was not known.  That’s until Shetterly’s book followed by the movie in 2016.

In 2018, Senators Ted Cruz, Bill Nelson, John Thune, and Ed Markey put forth legislation to rename the street.

Fatherhood Part 1

Examining the roles fathers play in the lives of their children.

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We’ve heard the terms before and they aren’t good, baby daddy, sperm donor even worse. But often the men behind these pejorative terms are trying to be active participants in the lives of their children… even when broken relationships, geography and other barriers get in the way.  In part one of a two-part look fatherhood, we examine the roles fathers play in the lives of their children.

Resources:

21st Annual Father’s Day Barbecue

Louise F. Cosca Regional Park, 11000 Thrift Road, Clinton, Maryland

Vernon Williams, Father of six, Author, Playwright, Producer

 

Jeffery Rascoe, Father of three, Founder, Cementing Foundations

 

Dr. Justin Wilson, Father of one, Biophysicist

****UPDATE**** Flint, Michigan Water Criminal Case

Criminal charges dropped in the Flint water scandal

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The Latest on criminal charges dropped in the Flint water scandal.

Prosecutors say they’re dismissing all criminal charges against eight people in the Flint water scandal and starting the investigation over again.

The eight people include former Michigan health director Nick Lyon. He was accused of failing to timely inform the public about an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease when Flint was using improperly treated water from the Flint River in 2014 and 2015.

The outbreak occurred at the same time that the city’s water system was contaminated with lead.

Lyon was the highest-ranking official to be charged in the investigation.

****BREAKING NEWS**** Flint, Michigan Lead Water Charges Dropped

Charges dropped in Flint lead water criminal case.

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Michigan prosecutors say they’re dropping all charges against 8 people in Flint water scandal
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Michigan prosecutors say they’re dropping all charges against 8 people in Flint water scandal.

UPDATES TO FOLLOW

Outdoor Smoking Ban In Montgomery County

Smoking at restaurant patios and bars now banned in Montgomery County.

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Starting today, patios at restaurants and bars in Montgomery County will be going smoke-free. Council members approved the smoking ban for outside serving areas back in March. Adam Zimmerman advocated for the ban.  Council Vice President Sidney Katz says the goal is to protect residents from the health impacts of smoking. As an exception, businesses may designate rooftop and balcony areas for outdoor smoking at their discretion. Restaurants and bars found in violation will be given two warnings followed by a 50 dollar fine. Montgomery County is said to be the first county in Maryland to enact such a law.

Federal Agency Recommends Kellyanne Conway Be Fired

Watchdog Agency Says White House Adviser Should Be Removed

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(Washington, DC) — A federal watchdog agency says White House adviser Kellyanne Conway should be removed from government service. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel claims Conway has violated federal law numerous times by publicly criticizing Democratic presidential candidates while speaking in her official capacity as a White House adviser. A brief White House statement called the Conway recommendation deeply flawed. The watchdog agency is not affiliated with now-former Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

Airbnb To Recreate Trip From ‘Around The World In 80 Days’

The experience is meant to mirror Fogg’s journey from exploring the Galapagos islands to hiking mountain ranges in Australia, said Joe Zadeh, Airbnb’s vice president of experiences.

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — A lucky few will be able to live the adventures of Phileas Fogg from Jules Verne’s classic “Around the World in 80 Days.”

Hosted by Airbnb, a small number of guests will travel across 16 countries using eight modes of transportation, including a hot air balloon, to promote a new collection of available bookings called Airbnb Adventures.

The experience is meant to mirror Fogg’s journey from exploring the Galapagos islands to hiking mountain ranges in Australia, said Joe Zadeh, Airbnb’s vice president of experiences.

“We thought that the notion of circumnavigating the globe and visiting all these different cultures and communities in 80 days is just a really fun and interesting premise,” he said.

Starting June 20, guests can book the 80-day trip, which comes with a price tag of $5,000 and includes all travel, lodging, activities and meals. Guests will depart from London on Sept. 1, 2019. The company did not say how many of the packages would be available.

Zadeh said the company chose to recreate the story of “Around the World in 80 Days” because it encompasses the spirit of the new program, focused on giving travelers an experience that is difficult to find anywhere else, especially for the price tag.

“We really want to make the point that adventures are accessibly priced,” he said.

Developed from already available hours-long trips called Airbnb Experiences, Airbnb Adventures allows people to participate in two- to 10-day treks ranging from $79 to $5,000. Adventures are capped at 12 travelers or less. Other notable bookings include searching for Sasquatch in Washington and trekking through the Amazon.

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Online:

https://airbnb.com/80dayadventure

Preparing You For Homeownership

The Annual DC Housing Expo is this Saturday at the Washington Convention Center.

Posted by Bobby Gailes
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June is Homeownership Month and WHUR is teaming up again with the DC Department of Housing to get you house ready.  The Annual DC Housing Expo and Home Show is coming up this weekend.  My guest is Drew Hubert – Chief Administrative Officer for the DC Department of Housing and Community Development

The DC Housing Expo and Home Show is Saturday, June 15thfrom 10am to 3pm at the Washington Convention Center.  WHUR is giving away a complete living room makeover worth nearly $5,000.

Tune in to Taking it to the Streets, weekday mornings at 6:15, 7:08 and 8:35 on the Steve Harvey Morning Show on 96.3 WHUR.

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

Listen to this mornings segment here:

 

 

Tyson Enters Plant-Based Meat Market

Tyson is responding to a growing global trend toward plant-based eating, fueled by health and environmental concerns. U.S. sales of meat substitutes are expected to jump 78% to $2.5 billion between 2018 and 2023, according to Euromonitor. Global sales could reach $23 billion in that same timeframe.

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The fast-growing market for meat alternatives has a surprising new player: Tyson Foods.

Tyson, one of the world’s largest meat producers, will begin selling nuggets made from pea protein at grocery stores this summer. A blended burger made from beef and pea protein will follow this fall. Both will be sold under a new brand, Raised and Rooted, which will continue to develop plant-based and blended products for both groceries and restaurants.

Tyson is responding to a growing global trend toward plant-based eating, fueled by health and environmental concerns. U.S. sales of meat substitutes are expected to jump 78% to $2.5 billion between 2018 and 2023, according to Euromonitor. Global sales could reach $23 billion in that same timeframe.

Startups like Beyond Meat, which makes burgers and sausages from pea protein, and Impossible Foods, which has a soy-based formula, have also raised consumers’ interest with products that mimic meat so closely in taste and texture that they’re being sold at Burger King and Carl’s Jr.

But the entry of Springdale, Arkansas-based Tyson could upend the alternative protein market because of its sheer size and distribution capacity. Tyson Foods reported $40 billion in sales in its 2018 fiscal year; Beyond Meat, which held its IPO last month, forecasts $210 million in sales this year. Tyson has 50 facilities just for processing chicken; Impossible Foods has one factory in Silicon Valley.

Tyson has been watching the alternative protein market for a while. Its investment arm, Tyson Ventures, acquired a 5% stake in Beyond Meat in 2016. It sold that stake before Beyond Meat’s IPO, but it continues to hold investments in other startups, including Memphis Meats and Future Meat Technologies — which grow meat from cells — and mushroom-based protein startup MycoTechnology.

“These things work together and help us have a broad view of what the world of food looks like,” said Justin Whitmore, who leads Tyson’s alternative protein business.

Whitmore said the company noticed a significant upswing in the number of consumers who eat meat but want alternative sources of protein. About a year ago, Tyson’s chefs and consumer specialists began developing its own alternative protein products. The nuggets it came up with look like fried chicken, but they’re made with pea protein, egg whites, flaxseed and bamboo fiber and other ingredients.

“It became apparent we had the capability not only to compete but to lead in this space,” Whitmore said.

Whitmore said Tyson will develop more Raised and Rooted products and also spread plant-based alternatives through its other brands. For example, Tyson’s existing Aidells brand is getting sausage and meatballs that contain 50-60% chicken and 40-50% plants like chickpeas, quinoa and lentils.

The products will be sold at grocery stores and restaurants, but Tyson isn’t yet saying which ones. One Tyson customer, McDonald’s, has yet to say whether it will add a plant-based burger to its U.S. menu. It sells one made by Nestle in Germany.

Nestle is among the companies that could challenge Tyson. Last week, the Swiss food giant said it plans to launch its Sweet Earth brand Awesome Burger in the U.S. this fall. And earlier this week, Maryland-based chicken company Perdue Farms said it will soon start selling nuggets, tenders and patties made from a blend of chicken and vegetables.

Maple Leaf Foods, a big Canadian meat company, also sells plant-based alternatives under its Lightlife brand, which it acquired in 2017.

But Whitmore didn’t express concern about competitors, saying Tyson’s speed, scale and distribution expertise — as well as its 84-year history — puts it ahead of companies who have been in the plant-based market for longer.

Whitmore said groceries will be able to decide where to put Tyson’s plant-based products. Beyond Meat has seen success partly because its burgers are sold in the meat aisle and not in the freezer section with traditional bean- or corn-based veggie patties.

Tyson is also being careful to describe its products as “alternative proteins” and not “meat,” a label used by some plant-based companies that has riled the meat industry. Some states, including Arkansas and Missouri, ban plant-based foods from being called “meat.”

Whitmore said Tyson continues to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in its traditional meat business, and it’s confident consumers eating its plant-based products will keep eating its meats. He wouldn’t say what percent of its sales Tyson expects to come from plant-based products in 2020.

DC Tops Student Loan Debt

The consumer agency also stated that for the first time student loan debt reached a historic one-point-four-trillion dollars in the same first quarter of 2019.

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According to consumer reporting agency Experian, the District of Columbia has the highest student loan debt in the country. The average was about $56,000 dollars for the first quarter of 2019. Now among all the states Mississippi had the biggest increase at almost 36% between 2015 and 2019.

The consumer agency also stated that for the first time student loan debt reached a historic one-point-four-trillion dollars in the same first quarter of 2019.

Georgia came in second with an average student loan of a little over $40-thousand dollars. In third place was the state of Maryland at $40,630. If your wondering New York and California were after Maryland with $37,753 and $37,468 respectively.

There was some good news Experian officials say is that it appears students are making their monthly payments on time.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

House Hearing On Reparations For Slavery Set For Next Week

Former Democratic Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, the longtime sponsor of House Resolution 40, first proposed the measure calling for a study of reparations in 1989. Conyers reintroduced the bill every session until his resignation in 2017 .

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The topic of reparations for slavery is headed to Capitol Hill for its first hearing in more than a decade with writer Ta-Nehisi Coates and actor Danny Glover set to testify before a House panel.

The House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties is scheduled to hold the hearing next Wednesday, its stated purpose “to examine, through open and constructive discourse, the legacy of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, its continuing impact on the community and the path to restorative justice.” The date of the hearing, June 19, coincides with Juneteenth, a cultural holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved blacks in America.

Former Democratic Rep. John Conyers of Michigan, the longtime sponsor of House Resolution 40, first proposed the measure calling for a study of reparations in 1989. Conyers reintroduced the bill every session until his resignation in 2017 .

Texas Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, the resolution’s new sponsor, introduced it earlier this year and pushed for next week’s hearing. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in February that she supports a reparations study, a topic that hasn’t been the subject of a House hearing since 2007.

Reparations had been a fringe issue and occasional punchline until Coates’ 2014 essay in The Atlantic, “The Case for Reparations,” thrust the topic back into the national discourse. Glover, an activist as well as the star of the “Lethal Weapon” movies and the classics “The Color Purple” and “A Rage in Harlem,” has spoken in favor of the issue for years.

In an interview with Coates as he prepared to leave office, President Barack Obama questioned the implementation of reparations but not the concept. And in a conversation Coates had earlier this year with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., the popular progressive endorsed reparations.

The reparations debate became part of the 2020 presidential race early, as several Democratic presidential primary candidates signaled their support for compensating the descendants of slaves, though not in the traditional sense of direct payouts to black Americans. Most have been vague on more specific ideas, but they have instead offered policies addressing economic inequality that could disproportionately benefit blacks.

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Whack is The Associated Press’ national writer on race and ethnicity. Follow her work on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/emarvelous .

Dave Chappelle Coming To Broadway. Hide Your Phone.

Producers issued an unusually blunt warning about anyone trying to film the performance on their phones: All phones will be put in a locked pouch during the show and anyone smuggling one in will be ejected.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Dave Chappelle will make his Broadway debut this summer but a word of warning: Ditch the cellphone.

Chappelle will perform five shows at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, from July 9 through July 13. The theater has this spring become home for music acts like Morrissey, Yanni and Regina Spektor making their Broadway debuts.

Producers issued an unusually blunt warning about anyone trying to film the performance on their phones: All phones will be put in a locked pouch during the show and anyone smuggling one in will be ejected.

Chappelle received Grammy Awards for best comedy album in 2018 and 2019. He won his second Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special with “Equanimity” in 2018

Issa Rae, Amy Poehler Recognized For Their Entrepreneurship

“Inclusion is not something you can count, advertise or market. Inclusion is what happens when diverse people are actually present in equal numbers in decision making positions.”

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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — In a night of commanding words from some of the most accomplished women in entertainment at the annual Women in Film Gala Wednesday night in Beverly Hills, from the likes of Issa Rae, Viola Davis and producer Cathy Schulman, Amy Poehler put her own unconventional spin on the “empowerment speech.”

Poehler, who was accepting the final honor of the evening, the Entrepreneur in Entertainment Award, simply read off a list of names: “A League of Their Own,” Patti Smith, “Fleabag,” ″The Virgin Suicides,” Judge Judy, U.S. Women’s Soccer, “American Psycho,” ″Russian Doll,” Dolly Parton. She continued listing off female creators and female-created shows and films for two and a half minutes.

Smoking Ban Outside Restaurants Begins Today In Montgomery Co.

Violators will be given up to two warnings and then they will be issued a $50 fine.

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Starting today you will no longer be allowed to light up outside of a restaurant or bar in Montgomery County.

The bill was approved back in March and actually takes effect today. There are exceptions, this does not apply to rooftop restaurants or businesses that have an outdoor balcony. Also, golf courses with outdoor seats can continue to allow members or guest to smoke outside.

The City of Gaithersburg and Rockville have similar bills. Not everyone, however, is in support of the change. Some feel this will hurt businesses.

Violators will be given up to two warnings and then they will be issued a $50 fine. The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services will be responsible for enforcement.

Follow me online @Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

Four Gun Shop Burglary Suspects Remain On The Run

Interim Police Chief Marcus Jones says the suspects should be considered armed and dangerous.

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Montgomery County Police responding to an alarm at a business see a number of suspects fleeing in a white SUV from the United Gun Shop near Randolph Road.

Sources say it only took officers about four minutes to respond. The officer fired shots and the vehicle sped away. A short time and distance later the abandoned SUV with one dead suspect was found in a nearby neighborhood.

That suspect has not been identified. They also found 3 guns next to the vehicle. Upon a further search of the community, they found a bag of guns. Interim Police Chief Marcus Jones says the suspects should be considered armed and dangerous. He is asking anyone who sees or hears something suspicious not to check it out but to call 911 instead and they will look into it.

We have no reports of any school lockdowns but officials just warn residents to caution when moving around.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

Target To Offer Same-Day Delivery For $9.99 Per Order

Last month, Walmart rolled out next-day delivery with a minimum order of $35 on its most popular items in certain cities. Amazon has upgraded its free shipping option for Prime members who pay $119 a year to one-day delivery.

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NEW YORK (AP) — In the latest salvo in the delivery wars, Target is offering same-day delivery on thousands of items for $9.99 per order through a delivery startup it purchased nearly two years ago

Until now, Target shoppers looking to receive same-day delivery through Shipt had to go to the startup’s website and pay $99 for an annual membership or $14 for a monthly membership. This week, Target incorporated the Shipt feature on its website.

Target says the same-day option will cover 65,000 items. Shoppers using Target’s loyalty card will get a 5% discount.

Last month, Walmart rolled out next-day delivery with a minimum order of $35 on its most popular items in certain cities. Amazon has upgraded its free shipping option for Prime members who pay $119 a year to one-day delivery.

5G and Communities of Color, What You Need to Know

Will communities of color be left behind as the 5G network becomes a reality?

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5G… It’s next big thing when it comes to smartphone innovation.  But why is it so big?  Why is the United States in scrappy competition with other countries to control it?  What about communities of color and under-served communities?  Will they be able to take advantage of it or even afford it?  Those questions and more will be addressed during a discussion in southeast DC.

Resources:

5G & COMMUNITIES OF COLOR: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW                Thursday, June 13th 6:00 -8:00 pm                                                                           THE ARC BLACK BOX THEATER                                                                              1901 MISSISSIPPI AVENUE, SE, WASHINGTON DC 20020

Denise Rolark-Barnes, Publisher, The Washington Informer

Dr. Nicol Turner-Lee, Brookings Institution Fellow, Center for Technology Innovation

Warriors Kevin Durant Undergoes Surgery For Ruptured Achilles

Durent reveals that he ruptured his Achilles tendon Monday night.

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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant says on social media he underwent surgery for a ruptured right Achilles tendon.
Durant revealed the severity of his injury Wednesday, two days after getting hurt during Game 5 of the NBA Finals in Toronto in his return after being sidelined for a month with a right calf strain.
Durant wrote on Instagram: “I wanted to update you all: I did rupture my Achilles. Surgery was today and it was a success, EASY MONEY.”
The Warriors hadn’t provided a formal update on Durant during media availability Wednesday. Coach Steve Kerr said the team had no idea Durant risked a serious Achilles injury by returning from a strained calf.
The two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP was injured in the second quarter of Golden State’s 106-105 victory Monday night to force a Game 6 at Oracle Arena on Thursday. The Raptors lead the best-of-seven series 3-2.

One Day In Prison For Coach In College Admissions Scandal

First sentencing for for college admissions scandal

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Sentencing For Former College Sailing Coach Today

(Boston, MA) — A former Stanford University sailing coach who pleaded guilty in the national college admission fraud scandal will avoid prison time. John Vandemoer was sentenced to one day served and two years supervised release. He previously pleaded guilty to racketeering and honest services fraud. Vandemoer reportedly steered over 600-thousand-dollars into Stanford sailing bank accounts for falsely qualifying three students as recruits. Defense attorneys pointed out that he never kept any of that money for himself. Vandemoer is the first person to be sentenced in the nationwide scandal that includes many high profile defendants.

Entertainment and Action Park in Capitol Heights

Capitol Heights to get new family entertainment park.

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(Capitol Heights, MD) — NFL Hall of Famer Ty Law is opening a family entertainment and action park in Capitol Heights, Maryland. The new park known as Launch, will include wall-to-wall, interconnected trampolines, a ninja-style obstacle course and a laser tag arena along with plenty more activities for families to enjoy. The new 40-thousand square-foot facility will be the fourth Launch park in the Baltimore-Washington metro area.

Analysis: Even Being Injured Durant Leads Free-Agent Pack

Kevin Durant’s Achilles injury, the severity of which isn’t yet confirmed, means he probably won’t be able to play much — if any — next season. But this is a testament to how much he overshadows much of the NBA landscape: Durant will still likely dictate how the free-agency dominoes fall this summer.

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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — This was already going to be a summer filled with fireworks in the NBA.

Nothing has changed.

Kevin Durant’s Achilles injury, the severity of which isn’t yet confirmed, means he probably won’t be able to play much — if any — next season. But this is a testament to how much he overshadows much of the NBA landscape: Durant will still likely dictate how the free-agency dominoes fall this summer.

Durant could exercise his $31.5 million player option and stay with the Warriors, and that’s likely going to be his worst-case financial scenario. He could opt out and sign a longer deal to stay in the Bay. Or he could opt out, sign elsewhere and start collecting massive checks from either the New York Knicks or Brooklyn Nets or Los Angeles Clippers or someone else.

Kyrie Irving’s decision could hinge on what Durant does. Kawhi Leonard’s decision could be affected by what Durant does. How the Knicks, Nets, Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks and all the other teams who have cap space will start spending their money on June 30 … it all will be determined, at least on some level, by what Durant does.

If he stays in Golden State, that’s more money for everyone else.

If he hits the open market, it’ll be about what team wants to gamble.

Here’s a tip to those teams that wanted Durant before he got hurt again in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

If the opportunity presents itself, sign him.

Free agency usually isn’t about just one year. It’s about the long haul. Durant is only 30 years old. He’s not a high-flyer who plays above the rim all the time. He’s not a plodding big man. He’s not someone with a lot of gray in the goatee. He’s a world-class scorer and jump-shooter in his prime. A year from now, if the recovery from the Achilles injury indeed takes that long, he’ll be far from over the hill.

“This is a devastating injury for a basketball player, but Durant can return to be the same or very close,” Dr. David Chao, a longtime NFL team physician, practicing orthopedic surgeon and now a sports medical analyst with a large following wrote Tuesday. “This does not mark his downfall as an elite player.”

In the short term, it just means Durant’s NBA Finals are over. Game 6 is Thursday night, and the Warriors trail the Toronto Raptors 3-2 in the title series.

In the long term, it might mean so much more — including the possibility that his time playing for Golden State is over.

Achilles recoveries for basketball players have typically taken about a full year. Even if it turns out to be a partial tear, it’s still a tear. Some team was going to pay Durant a lot of money in 2019-20 and some team still will, probably without the immediate on-court services of perhaps the best player in the world in return.

The first decision is the medical course of action.

The financial course of action will be decided soon after.

All will not be lost next season for the team that has Durant on its roster. That team will apply for, and get, a disabled player exception that will allow them to sign someone else for probably about $9 million and not have that count toward the team’s cap.

That player won’t be of Durant’s caliber, because so few players are. But a year or so later, the team would have Durant.

There’s risk with any signing. And signing any player that will command so much of a team’s salary cap while facing a grueling rehab would seem particularly risky.

“He’s going to come back stronger though,” Warriors guard Klay Thompson said. “That’s the kind of fighter he is.”

The Nets swung a trade earlier this month to clear enough cap space for two max contracts this summer — and there’s no doubt that they would love Durant to take one of those spots, possibly alongside Irving. The Knicks have been mentioned as a hopeful in the Durant sweepstakes for months. The Clippers were expected to make a pitch for him as well. The Warriors surely want to keep him.

The chatter about Durant’s injury indicates it’s all a mystery now, although it really shouldn’t be.

Players have made comebacks off Achilles surgery, with relative levels of success.

DeMarcus Cousins, Kobe Bryant, and Rudy Gay all came back; Cousins hasn’t regained past form yet. Dominique Wilkins had an Achilles tear happen to him at the peak of his career and he arguably was good as ever afterward. Elton Brand, now leading the Philadelphia 76ers’ front office, had it as a player and said he was never the same. Christian Laettner went from a star to a role player when his Achilles ripped.

“I’ve been there,” 15-time golf major winner Tiger Woods said Tuesday at the U.S. Open. “I’ve had it to my own Achilles. I’ve had it to my own back. I know what it feels like. It’s an awful feeling. And no one can help you. That’s the hard part.”

Woods fought his way back toward the top of his sport, and is the reigning Masters champion.

Durant isn’t going to let an Achilles injury end his reign as one of the game’s best. Teams would be foolish to think otherwise.

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Tim Reynolds is a national basketball writer for The Associated Press. Write to him at treynolds@ap.org

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More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Getting Rid of Those Old Electronics Just Got Easier In DC

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Washington, D. C. (Wednesday, June 12, 2019) – We all have them.  Those old electronic devices that we no longer use or want.  Whether it’s a computer or an old big box television, getting rid of those items often prove to be challenging.  Today, Mayor Bowser announced that District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) will hold collection events this year at libraries in all eight wards to allow District residents and businesses to responsibly recycle their used electronic equipment through the Department of Energy & Environment’s (DOEE) eCycle DC program.

“As one of the greenest cities in the nation, the District is committed to giving our residents convenient opportunities to recycle responsibly right at their local libraries,” said Mayor Bowser. “It takes all of us to keep our city and our world clean, beautiful, and sustainable, and programs like eCycle DC go a long way.”

The first collection events will take place on June 15, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., at Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library (3935 Benning Road, NE) and Chevy Chase Library (5625 Connecticut Avenue, NW). New collection dates and other information on eCycle DC can be found at doee.dc.gov/ecycle.

“Our DC Public Library is a terrific partner in lifting up our civic responsibility to be better stewards of our environment,” said DOEE Director Tommy Wells. “Expanding eCycle DC increases access to the proper handling of these common household items, that unfortunately have easy potential to become toxic materials that harm our health and environment.”

With the support of Wisetek, a locally-based global leader in IT asset disposal (ITAD), re-use and manufacturing services, Samsung Electronics America will collect used electronic equipment at the library locations.

“The District’s neighborhood libraries are trusted, popular, and accessible community anchors,” said DCPL Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan. “Giving residents convenient locations for the responsible disposal of their used electronic equipment is just one more way in which our libraries serve their communities. The Library is proud to help ensure that our city remains at the forefront of innovation in sustainability.”

Mayor Bowser’s Sustainable DC 2.0 Plan established a target to achieve 80% waste diversion citywide without the use of landfills or waste-to-energy by 2032. To help reach that target, electronics were banned from the District’s waste stream in 2018 and manufacturers of certain electronics (televisions, computers, and related equipment) are required to collect a percentage of what they sell annually.

“As one of the world’s largest electronics makers, Samsung believes it is our responsibility to use the same innovative mindset in keeping our supply and disposition chains accountable as we do with our products,” said Mark Newton, Head of Environmental, Regulatory Affairs, and Sustainability at Samsung Electronics America. “Our partnership with Wisetek is an exciting opportunity to advance our environmental objectives by making e-waste recycling more accessible to residents and businesses in the nation’s capital.”

eCycle-covered electronic equipment includes:

Computers and Tablets with screens 6” or larger
Desktops
Laptops
Tablets
Small scale servers
Computer peripherals
Computer monitors
Desktop printers less than 100 pounds
Keyboards
Mice
Speakers sold with computers
Televisions
Television peripherals
DVRs, DVD players, VCRs
Signal converter boxes
Cable and satellite receivers
Game consoles used with TVs

Zack Boorstein, Vice President of Wisetek, added: “We are delighted to be part of such an important program by Samsung to manage the recycling and repurposing of e-waste equipment in DC. With increased obligations on manufacturers to take back e-waste, and growing environmental awareness issues, Wisetek is happy to get involved in this initiative. Education is key to companies learning more about the global sustainability benefits of equipment re-use and recycling and Wisetek are proud to share this important message with people.”

More than 20 pieces of electronic equipment are found in the average American house, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates more than 3 million tons of electronic waste is generated each year in the United States. Properly recycling electronics conserves natural resources, ensures appropriate handling of toxic materials, provides a more sustainable source of precious metals, and protects human health and the environment.

Uber Tests Drone Food Delivery, Launches New Autonomous SUV

“We’ve been working closely with the FAA to ensure that we’re meeting requirements and prioritizing safety,” Luke Fischer, head of flight operations at Uber Elevate, said in a statement Wednesday.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Uber is testing restaurant food deliveries by drone.

The company’s Uber Eats unit began the tests in San Diego with McDonald’s and plans to expand to other restaurants later this year.

Uber says the service should decrease food delivery times.

It works this way: Workers at a restaurant load the meal into a drone and it takes off, tracked and guided by a new aerospace management system.

The drone then meets an Uber Eats driver at a drop-off location, and the driver will hand-deliver the meal to the customer.

In the future, the company wants to land drones atop parked vehicles near delivery locations and secure them to the vehicle for the final mile of the delivery.

Last year Uber and the city of San Diego won a bid from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to test food delivery by air.

“We’ve been working closely with the FAA to ensure that we’re meeting requirements and prioritizing safety,” Luke Fischer, head of flight operations at Uber Elevate, said in a statement Wednesday.

The company said the knowledge it gains from the tests will help with Uber’s planned aerial ride-sharing network.

Also Wednesday, Uber announced that it would team with Volvo Cars to launch its newest self-driving vehicle.

The ride-hailing company said it can easily install its self-driving system in the Volvo XC90 SUV. The vehicle’s steering and braking systems are designed for computer rather than human control, including several backup systems for both steering and braking functions and battery backup power. If the primary systems fail, the backup system will immediately act to bring the car to a stop.

Various sensors will allow Uber’s self-driving system to safely operate and maneuver in urban areas, the company said.

Uber and Volvo Cars partnered in September 2016. This is the third car they’ve developed together.

Uber made the announcement at its third-annual Uber Elevate Summit.

Navigating The Beauty Aisle For Women Of Color

Since January CVS Health has added 600 new shades of foundation and concealers. And this year, Walmart began carrying all shades of its top foundation brands across its chain: Maybelline Fit Me, Revlon Color Stay, Covergirl True Blend and L’Oreal True Match. The shade range expanded by more than 20% over the last year.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Black and other darker-skinned women had long struggled to find makeup that matched or complemented their skin.

But a widening array of products is showing up at mainstream retailers with an eye toward the multicultural consumer.

A big game changer was Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty collection, which was launched two years ago and is sold at Sephora and Fentybeauty.com. Among the highlights: 50 shades of foundation from the palest white to deep brown.

Elsewhere, shoppers can now find more variety. Target, which started offering an assortment of textured hair care brands two decades ago, has in recent years expanded its space dedicated to the category to 36 feet from 8 feet in select stores. Last year it introduced new cosmetic brands which cater to women with medium to deep skin tones. Target now carries more than 150 brands and more than 400 products that cater to the multicultural customer. Earlier this year, the discounter expanded its multicultural sun care offerings with the introduction of Black Girl Sunscreen and Unsung.

“At Target, we believe it’s incredibly important that our assortment reflects the diversity of our guests,” said Target’s Christina Hennington in a statement.

Meanwhile, since January CVS Health has added 600 new shades of foundation and concealers. And this year, Walmart began carrying all shades of its top foundation brands across its chain: Maybelline Fit Me, Revlon Color Stay, Covergirl True Blend and L’Oreal True Match. The shade range expanded by more than 20% over the last year.

Multicultural customers tend to be engaged and more experimental, according to studies. Hispanic women who perform a beauty routine are more likely to experiment and adopt multiple steps into their routines, with two-thirds saying they create complex makeup looks, compared to 51% of U.S. women overall, according to a recent survey by Mintel. Black women are more likely to be interested in trends surrounding natural beauty products than women overall, Mintel says.

Still, “it’s a big challenge to navigate,” said Coye Nokes, a partner in OC&C Strategy Consultants’ consumer and retail practice. “Not every skin care is right.”

Here are some tips to navigate the options:

— DO THE RESEARCH: Do you want to go only with black entrepreneur-owned brands? For example, earlier this year Ulta launched Uoma Beauty, founded by Nigerian-born Sharon Chuter, who is a former executive at the luxury goods conglomerate LVHM. The exclusive collection has more than 51 foundations. Also, decide which areas you want to splurge on, says Wendy Liebmann, CEO of WSL Strategic Retail. She cited Maybelline, typically found at drugstores and other low-priced chains, which recently launched a red lipstick that it has marketed as universal and tested it on 50 diverse skin tones. Also, request samples whether from a store or from a cosmetic company.

— PLAY WITH THE TOOLS: Sephora uses Color IQ, which scans the surface of your skin, captures the exact skin tone, and then assigns it a Color IQ number. That number is used to produce precise color matches for lip products, foundations, and concealers. At Ulta, shoppers can try on makeup using its GlamLab app that lets shoppers browse, filter and play around with products. Target customers can virtually try on hundreds of makeup items, including various lip and cheek colors via a feature called Target Beauty Studio on Target’s website. CVS is launching next month a new “shade finder” tool — similar to paint swatches — in 6,000 of its stores to help customers find the right shade of foundation and concealer across 12 different brands.

— TAKE ADVANTAGE OF STORE EVENTS AND SERVICES: Target offers events at its stores where customers can meet with founders of multicultural brands. Last year, it held more than 30 events and it plans to hold more than 60 this year. Sephora also offers free beauty classes that address different skin care needs and beauty and makeup interests for all clients. And classes are customized for attendees. Macy’s, which has been expanding color ranges under long-time partners like Estee Lauder and more ethnic-focused brands like Black Up, says its beauty advisers are trained to understand skin care by concern.

In more than 170 stores in select markets, CVS launched CVS Pharmacy y mas, a shopping experience that provides more personalized service to the Hispanic community and includes bilingual staff. It personalizes the product selection including beauty products based on local demand.

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Follow Anne D’Innocenzio: http://twitter.com/ADInnocenzio

Watchdog: Abuse And Neglect In Nursing Facilities Unreported

“Mandatory reporting is not always happening, and beneficiaries deserve to be better protected,” said Gloria Jarmon, head of the inspector general’s audit division.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Nursing facilities have failed to report thousands of serious cases of potential neglect and abuse of seniors on Medicare even though it’s a federal requirement for them to do so, according to a watchdog report released Wednesday that calls for a new focus on protecting frail patients.

Auditors with the Health and Human Services inspector general’s office drilled down on episodes serious enough that the patient was taken straight from a nursing facility to a hospital emergency room. Scouring Medicare billing records, they estimated that in 2016 about 6,600 cases reflected potential neglect or abuse that was not reported as required. Nearly 6,200 patients were affected.

“Mandatory reporting is not always happening, and beneficiaries deserve to be better protected,” said Gloria Jarmon, head of the inspector general’s audit division.

Overall, unreported cases worked out to 18% of about 37,600 episodes in which a Medicare beneficiary was taken to the emergency room from a nursing facility in circumstances that raised red flags.

Responding to the report, Administrator Seema Verma said the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services does not tolerate abuse and mistreatment and slaps significant fines on nursing homes that fail to report cases.

Verma said the agency, known as CMS, is already moving to improve supervision of nursing homes in critical areas such as abuse and neglect and care for patients with dementia.

CMS officially agreed with the inspector general’s recommendations to ramp up oversight by providing clearer guidance to nursing facilities about what kinds of episodes must be reported, improving training for facility staff, requiring state nursing home inspectors to record and track all potential cases and monitoring cases referred to law enforcement agencies.

Neglect and abuse of elderly patients can be difficult to uncover. Investigators say many cases are not reported because vulnerable older people may be afraid to tell even friends and relatives much less the authorities. In some cases, neglect and abuse can be masked by medical conditions.

The report cited the example of a 65-year-old woman who arrived at the emergency room in critical condition. She was struggling to breathe, suffering from kidney failure and in a state of delirium. The patient turned out to have opioid poisoning, due to an error at the nursing facility. The report said a nurse made a mistake copying doctor’s orders, and the patient was getting much bigger doses of pain medication as a result. The woman was treated and sent back to the same nursing facility. The nurse got remedial training, but the facility did not report what happened. The report called it an example of neglect that should have been reported.

The nursing facilities covered by the report provide skilled nursing and therapy services to Medicare patients recovering from surgeries or hospitalization. Many facilities also play a dual role, combining a rehabilitation wing with long-term care nursing home beds.

Investigators said they faced a challenge scoping out the extent of unreported cases. They couldn’t query a database and get a number, since they were looking for cases that weren’t being reported to state nursing home inspectors.

To get their estimate, auditors put together a list of Medicare billing codes that previous investigations had linked to potential neglect and abuse. Common problems were not on the list. Instead it included red flags such as fractures, head injuries, foreign objects swallowed by patients, gangrene and shock.

The investigators found a total of 37,600 records representing 34,800 patients. Auditors then pulled a sample of cases and asked state inspectors to tell them which ones should have been reported. Based on the expert judgment of state inspectors, federal auditors came up with their estimate of 6,600 unreported cases of potential neglect and abuse.

Investigators found that nursing facility staff and even state inspectors had an unclear and inconsistent understanding of reporting requirements.

Medicare did not challenge the estimates but instead said that billing data comes with a built-in time lag and may not be useful for spotting problems in real time.

Separately, the report also flagged potential problems with state nursing home inspectors reporting documented cases of abuse or neglect to local law enforcement. Federal auditors pulled a sample of 69 cases across five states in which inspectors verified that nursing facility patients suffered neglect or abuse. Only two were reported to local law enforcement, although reporting is required.

In one case, a male resident was sitting in the facility’s dining room when an employee walked by and pushed the back of his head, then kept walking. The employee denied it, but his actions were captured on surveillance video. The report said state inspectors verified what happened but did not report it to local law enforcement.

 

Celebrating The Rich History and Culture of African Americans

It’s time for the annual Juneteenth Celebration taking place this Saturday at Watkins Regional Park

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Are you looking for a reason to celebrate?  I have details about the annual Juneteenth Celebration coming up in Prince George’s County and how you can take part in this effort designed to rejoice, reflect, and renew the rich history and culture of African Americans. My guest is Dr. Dennis Doster – Black History Program Manager for the Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County

Juneteenth Celebration in Prince George’s County is Saturday, June 15thfrom 12pm to 5pm at Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.  More information here:

Tune in to Taking it to the Streets, weekday mornings at 6:15, 7:08 and 8:35 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:

Traveling Safely and the Dominican Republic Tourism Controversy

Addressing travel safety and security in the wake of the deaths of American Tourists in the Dominican Republic

Posted by Harold Fisher
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The bodies of an engaged couple from Upper Marlboro have arrived in the DC area after they died at a vacation resort in the Dominican Republic.  63-year-old Edward Holmes and 50-year-old Cynthia Day were both found dead in their room at the Bahia Principe resort in Punta Cana last month.  At least six Americans, vacationing at Dominican Republic resorts have died under suspicious circumstances over the past year.  Three of them in recent months.  We’re looking at this issue and what it means for you and your vacation plans.

Resources:

The Passport Junkie

The DC Latino Caucus

Benet Wilson, Former Travel Journalist (not pictured)

Dr. Silvia Martinez, President, The DC Latino Caucus

Carrie Cowan, The Passport Junkie

Bodies Of Maryland Couple Returned From Dominican Republic

Investigation continues into the deaths of an Upper Marlboro couple in the Dominican Republic

Posted by Harold Fisher
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The bodies of a Prince George’s County couple have been returned to the DC area.   63-year-old Nathaniel Holmes and 50-year-old Cynthia Day of Upper Marlboro, were found dead in their hotel room at the Bahia Principe in the Dominican Republic .  Police in the Dominican Republic said an autopsy revealed that the couple died of respiratory failure and fluid build up in their lungs.  Police found no signs of foul play and called it a coincidence.

The family of Holmes and Day said they are planning to have a second autopsy done in the United States to determine the cause of death, according to Bullock.

Last week officials confirmed another woman died mysteriously at the same hotel where Holmes and Day stayed.

 

John Legend On Abortion Law Boycotts: ‘Money Talks’

“Particularly when these studios are hiring people and bringing people to the state and saying, ‘Come work with us here in this state,’ but if you get pregnant there you’re going to be treated like a second-class citizen,” he said. “That’s a tough conversation to have with your staff. And so I think hopefully the pressure that the studios are putting on will help Georgia and other states see the error of their ways.”

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — John Legend says Hollywood should consider boycotting Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama and other states that pass restrictive abortion laws.

Legend admits he’s not sure if a boycott would be successful, but says “it’s a conversation that needs to be had.

“Particularly when these studios are hiring people and bringing people to the state and saying, ‘Come work with us here in this state,’ but if you get pregnant there you’re going to be treated like a second-class citizen,” he said. “That’s a tough conversation to have with your staff. And so I think hopefully the pressure that the studios are putting on will help Georgia and other states see the error of their ways.”

He added: “I don’t know that it will definitely work, but I know that money talks.”

Louisiana, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi and Ohio have enacted bills barring abortion once there’s a detectable fetal heartbeat, as early as the sixth week of pregnancy. Missouri’s governor signed a bill last month approving an eight-week ban on abortion, with exceptions only for medical emergencies. Alabama has gone even further, outlawing virtually all abortions, even in cases of rape or incest. None of the bans have taken effect, and all are expected to face legal challenges.

Netflix and other major Hollywood studios have said they’re reevaluating filming in Georgia if its abortion law goes into effect.

Legend, who has two children with wife and model Chrissy Teigen, said the idea that any state would get involved in making a reproductive decision for a woman “is just unconscionable to me.

“There’s no way we can have equality in any other realm if women don’t have the ability to make these kinds of decisions on their own without the state getting involved,” Legend said in an interview Monday while promoting a Pampers campaign to install more baby-changing tables in men’s restrooms.

The Grammy, Oscar, Tony and Emmy winner added that people from Hollywood to small towns need to get involved.

“It’s a grassroots thing where people let their politicians know what they think about these laws and what they think about the idea of women having freedom to make decisions about their bodies and when they want to have kids,” he said. “The bottom line is we need to respect women and let women make their own decisions.”

More Surgery For “Big Papi”

David Ortiz undergoes more surgery in Boston after shooting  

Posted by Harold Fisher
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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) A wounded David Ortiz was recovering from exploratory surgery in Boston on Tuesday as investigators in his native Dominican Republic tried to figure out who shot the former Red Sox slugger and why.  Ortiz spokesman Leo Lopez said Big Papi was expected to remain in intensive care for at least 48 hours. The 43-year-old retired athlete was flown to Boston on Monday night for further treatment, arriving in an air ambulance provided by the Red Sox, after doctors in the Dominican Republic removed his gallbladder and part of his intestine.  Ortiz was shot at close range in the torso Sunday night by a gunman
who approached him from behind at a Santo Domingo bar, authorities said.

Police have said the operator of the motorcycle carrying the assailant was captured and beaten by a crowd at the bar. But the gunman has not been arrested, and investigators were trying to
establish whether Ortiz was the target.

Ortiz led the Red Sox to three World Series championships – including, in 2004, their first title in 86 years of futility.  With his ferocious swing and his big smile, Ortiz became one of the most beloved sports heroes in Boston history. Fans responded to the shooting with an outpouring of prayers and wishes for a speedy recovery.

Linda Fairstein Condemns Netflix Series On Central Park Five

“Ms. DuVernay’s film attempts to portray me as an overzealous prosecutor and a bigot, the police as incompetent or worse, and the five suspects as innocent of all charges against them. None of this is true,” she wrote.

Posted by WHUR Contributor
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NEW YORK (AP) — Former “Central Park Five” prosecutor Linda Fairstein is condemning how she’s portrayed in the Netflix series “When They See Us,” writing that the program is “full of distortions and falsehoods.”

Directed by Ava DuVernay, the film tells of the wrongful conviction of five black and Latino teenagers for the 1989 assault on a female jogger in Central Park. Fairstein, who headed Manhattan’s sex crimes unit at the time, has long been criticized for her role in the suspects’ interrogation. Fallout from the Netflix show has led to her being dropped by her book publisher, Dutton.

In an op-ed Tuesday in The Wall Street Journal, Fairstein said the film’s falsehoods included saying the suspects were held without food and attributing racist remarks to her that she never said.

“Ms. DuVernay’s film attempts to portray me as an overzealous prosecutor and a bigot, the police as incompetent or worse, and the five suspects as innocent of all charges against them. None of this is true,” she wrote.

Netflix declined comment Tuesday, but DuVernay responded to a tweet from film executive Franklin Leonard, who wrote that “It appears we’ve come to the part of the cycle where folks wrongly accuse a brilliant bit of filmmaking by @ava of being ‘so full of distortions and falsehoods as to be an outright fabrication.’”

DuVernay wrote: “Expected and typical. Onward.”

Asante Blackk Talks Ava DuVernay’s Hit Netflix Documentary ‘When They See Us’

Blackk talked about the significance of the role he plays, what the first day was like on set, and why he urges everyone to take the time to watch this film.

Posted by Bridgette Royall
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https://youtu.be/C4gnoDzmJ9w

Asante Blackk, star of Ava DuVernay‘s hit Netflix documentary “When They See Us”,  and his parents Aiyanna & Ayiza Ma’at stop by to chat with WHUR’s EZ Street about this much talked about film. Blackk talked about the significance of the role he plays, what the first day was like on set, and why he urges everyone to take the time to watch this film.

Maryland Governor Urges Mnuchin Not To Delay $20 Tubman Bill

Mnuchin said the delay had been prompted by the decision to redesign the $10 bill and the $50 bill first for security reasons. He has said the decision on whether to keep Tubman on the redesigned $20 will be left to whoever is Treasury secretary in 2026.

Posted by WHUR Contributor
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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan is urging Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to reconsider delaying the redesign of the $20 bill to feature abolitionist leader Harriet Tubman.

The Republican governor made the request in a letter Tuesday.

Tubman was born on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. She escaped from slavery to become a leading abolitionist and helped other slaves escape through the Underground Railroad.

The Tubman redesign was initially scheduled to be released next year. Andrew Jackson, the nation’s seventh president, is now on the $20 bill.

Mnuchin said the delay had been prompted by the decision to redesign the $10 bill and the $50 bill first for security reasons. He has said the decision on whether to keep Tubman on the redesigned $20 will be left to whoever is Treasury secretary in 2026.

DC Police Search For 6 People In BB Gun Attack

DC Police are looking into a case of at least 6 people who were hit by a BB gun on Sunday.

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DC Police are looking into several cases involving at least 6 people who were hit by a BB gun on Sunday. The incidents were separate and investigators believe the same suspect(s) are responsible.

There were 9 attacks in all on Sunday. One victim sitting in a car was hit. The other victims were walking. None of the victims suffered serious injuries.

Seven attacks were reported in Southeast and two others were reported in Northeast. Three vehicles were damaged in the 2400 block of Alabama Avenue in Southeast. A police car was damaged in that incident.

A picture of a vehicle of interest has been released to the public. WHUR will keep you up to date on this story.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

Jury Convicts Ex-NFL Player Of Rape, Mulls 8 Other Charges

The jury also found the 35-year-old former tight end guilty of indecent exposure and lewd conduct involving two other women, but jurors found him not guilty of one count of a lewd act.

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SAN DIEGO (AP) — A California jury that convicted former NFL player Kellen Winslow Jr. of raping a 58-year-old homeless woman has been ordered to return to deliberations Tuesday after deadlocking on eight other charges against him, including two additional counts of rape involving a 54-year-old hitchhiker and an unconscious teen.

A jury on Monday in San Diego Superior Court in Vista found the son of a Hall of Famer guilty of the attack last year on the homeless woman in his picturesque beach community of Encinitas, north of San Diego.

The jury also found the 35-year-old former tight end guilty of indecent exposure and lewd conduct involving two other women, but jurors found him not guilty of one count of a lewd act.

Winslow, who played for Cleveland, Tampa Bay, New England and the New York Jets, faces up to life in prison if convicted of all counts.

All five women testified during the nine-day trial. Winslow did not take the stand.

Defense attorneys pointed out inconsistencies in the accusers’ testimonies and argued the women invented the allegations to prey on the wealth of Winslow, who reportedly earned over $40 million during his 10 seasons with the NFL.

Prosecutors say the son of Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow felt empowered by his fame to abuse the most vulnerable.

Prosecutor Dan Owens told the jury of eight men and four women that Winslow is a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

The five women testified that they didn’t know Winslow was famous when they met him.

The homeless woman in Encinitas, who was 58 at the time, testified that he befriended her and attacked her next to his vehicle after inviting her for a coffee in May 2018.

A 54-year-old hitchhiker said he drove her to an Encinitas shopping center parking lot and raped her in his Hummer in March 2018.

A 57-year-old woman said he exposed himself to her while she tended to her garden in May of 2018. The jury found him guilty of that charge Monday.

After news of the attacks broke, a woman came forward and said Winslow had raped her when she was a 17-year-old high school student in 2003. He was 19 at the time and had come home from college for the summer.

A 77-year-old woman who went to the same gym as Winslow in the nearby beach community of Carlsbad said he committed lewd acts in front of her, including touching himself, while Winslow was free on $2 million bail in February. The jury found him guilty of touching himself in front of the woman while she exercised, but not guilty of committing a lewd act in front of her on a separate occasion in the gym’s hot tub.

After the jury sent a note saying it was deadlocked on the eight other charges, the judge sent them back to deliberate. They went home less than an hour later and were ordered to return Tuesday.

Jurors on Friday sent a note to the judge indicating it was struggling to reach agreement.

“The jurors could benefit from an explanation as to what being under oath means,” the note said. “Additionally, how we should follow the law and not what we think the law means.”

The judge told jurors being under oath means telling the whole truth and that they should follow the law how it is written.

Defense attorney Marc Carlos questioned the credibility of the women’s claims, saying they had lied, misconstrued things or were unable to initially identify him correctly.

Defense lawyers also said the sex was consensual and that Winslow had cheated on his wife repeatedly with no-strings-attached sex.

Prosecutors said the crux of the women’s stories didn’t change and that evidence included traces of Winslow’s DNA on one of the accuser’s pants and GPS locations placing him where the women said the assaults occurred.

DC’s CFO Says “NO” To Certifying The 2020 Budget

The CFO says that change violates the city’s commitment to bondholders who are expecting excess revenue to go towards repayment to investors.

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A battle is brewing in the District of Columbia over the city’s 2020 approved budget plan. The City’s Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey DeWitt says he will not certify the 2020 fiscal budget approved last week by the city council.

The problem DeWitt says is he feels that money is being improperly diverted from funds to repay the Washington Convention Center for repairs for crumbling city public housing complexes.

Reportedly DeWitt made the council aware of his feeling before the vote but leaders moved forward with approving the $15.5 billion dollar budget anyway.

The decision throws the city in turmoil with urgent repairs at public housing units in jeopardy of not getting done. It’s still up in the air about what the City Council will do next. Normally the spending plan is already approved by now.

DeWitt has to certify the budget before it moves to Mayor Muriel Bowser’s desk or Congress for final approval. The council could be forced to vote on new legislation in order to get the budget certified.

Under the current plan half of the $49 million dollars from the convention centers, reserve funds would go to desperately needed repairs at the city’s public housing complexes. The other half would easy the Mayor’s plan to increase hotel room taxes.

The CFO says that change violates the city’s commitment to bondholders who are expecting excess revenue to go towards repayment to investors. DeWitt, however, did say only $20 million dollars of that money is available for other purposes.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

Upper Marlboro Mayor Suddenly Resigns

No reason was given.

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Residents in the ever growing town of Upper Marlboro woke up this morning to learn that their Mayor is resigning.

Mayor Tonga Turner submitted a letter yesterday notifying officials that she was stepping down. No reason was given. Reportedly, in her letter she discussed accomplishments she made while in office over the last two years and she also said she was looking forward to the future.

Mayor Turner’s last day in office will be on June 21st.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

Warriors Hang On To Stay Alive, Win Game 5 Of NBA Finals

Curry scored 31 points, Thompson added 26 and they led a season-saving surge long after Kevin Durant was injured again to give the Warriors a 106-105 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Monday night in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

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TORONTO (AP) — The Golden State Warriors aren’t letting go of the NBA title just yet.

With Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson shooting and Draymond Green swatting, the champions found a way to win even after a gut-wrenching loss.

Curry scored 31 points, Thompson added 26 and they led a season-saving surge long after Kevin Durant was injured again to give the Warriors a 106-105 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Monday night in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

Devastated by the loss of Durant, the All-Stars that the Warriors had left made sure there was celebration along with their sadness, pulling out what Green thought had to be the greatest win during their run to five straight NBA Finals.

“When you’re down six with a couple minutes to go in an elimination for these guys to win a championship, we could have thrown in the towel. We could have folded, but we didn’t,” Green said. “I said it before: I’ve never seen this group fold. And that stands true still.”

Curry and Thompson, nicknamed the Splash Brothers, combined for three straight 3-pointers in the closing minutes after Toronto had taken a six-point lead with under 3½ minutes remaining in front of a raucous, red-shirted crowd.

“Even going down six with three minutes left, their ball, we didn’t panic,” Thompson said. “We just do what we do.”

The Warriors lost Durant barely a quarter after getting him back but got the win, cutting Toronto’s lead to 3-2 and sending the series back to Oracle Arena for Game 6 on Thursday.

Kawhi Leonard scored 26 points for the Raptors but couldn’t get the final shot, which went to Kyle Lowry and was blocked by Green.

The two-time defending champion Warriors were minutes away from their title reign ending, having lost Durant and a 14-point lead during an emotionally exhausting game. They had controlled Leonard for three quarters, but he scored 10 straight Toronto points in the fourth and the Raptors were close to their first championship and a party that would have stretched coast to coast in Canada.

But even after everything the Warriors had lost, they still had two of the best perimeter shooters in the world on the floor. Thompson hit a 3, and Curry followed with one to tie it at 103. Golden State got it back to Thompson and the Raptors lost sight of him just long enough for the tiebreaking shot with 57 seconds to go.

Toronto cut it to one when Kyle Lowry was credited with a basket and the Raptors got a final chance when DeMarcus Cousins was called for an illegal screen. Leonard had the ball but the Warriors forced him to pass and it ended up in the corner to Lowry, but Green sprinted over to get a hand on his shot as the buzzer sounded.

“He got a piece of it, that’s what great defenders do,” Lowry said. “He got a piece of it and we’ll continue to look at it and see how we can be better for the next game.”

Cousins had 14 points for the Warriors and Green finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.

Golden State is the only team to lose a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals, when Cleveland came back to win in 2016.

Now the Warriors have a chance to pull off the feat themselves, but it became more difficult after Durant limped off in the second quarter after he had missed the previous nine games with a strained right calf.

“We understand the moment and I think we can rally, considering how the second half went tonight,” Curry said.

Durant, the two-time NBA Finals MVP, was attempting to dribble past Serge Ibaka early in the second quarter when he suddenly came to a stop, lost the ball and limped sideways before grabbing at his lower right calf as he fell to the court.

Fans at first cheered but then, spurred in part by some Raptors players, chanted “KD! KD!” as he was helped to the locker room area joined by Curry, Andre Iguodala and general manager Bob Myers.

Durant left the arena on crutches with what a tearful Myers said was an Achilles tendon injury and the Warriors said he would get an MRI on Tuesday.

They were initially OK without him because Cousins — who returned from injury himself in this series — came off the bench to score their next seven points before feeding Green for a layup that gave them a 48-37 lead. It got as high as 13 on Curry’s four-point play, and Golden State led 62-56 at halftime.

But eventually it would come down to Curry and Thompson, who both logged more than 41 minutes and will have to be ready to go again Thursday in what will be the final game in Oracle Arena.

Lowry had 18 points and Marc Gasol scored 17 for the Raptors, who were trying to give Canada its first championship in one of the traditional major sports since the Blue Jays won the World Series in 1993.

Fans had been waiting through on-and-off rain all day — some since Sunday — to watch at one of the outdoor watch parties that have popped up in and around Toronto. The crowd inside the arena that included hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky and former Raptors star Vince Carter thought it would witness history as Leonard powered past his defenders repeatedly in the fourth quarter.

But the Raptors needed one more basket, and the only way the local fans can see them win in person is if it goes the full seven games and Toronto wins it at home on Sunday.

“We had a chance to win a championship tonight and we didn’t do it,” guard Fred VanVleet said. “We didn’t play well enough, we didn’t execute enough down the stretch and that stings a little bit.”

TIP-INS

Warriors: Golden State also lost Kevon Looney again after he aggravated his injury to upper body cartilage. … Durant finished with 11 points. He came in averaging 31.7 points per game in the NBA Finals, trailing only Rick Barry and Michael Jordan on the career list.

Raptors: Serge Ibaka scored 15 points and VanVleet had 11 off Toronto’s bench.

UP NEXT

Golden State hosts Game 6 on Thursday night.

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More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports