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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

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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

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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  

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Promise Of Marijuana Leads Scientists On Search For Evidence

The number of medical marijuana cardholders more than tripled in the last five years as more states jumped on the bandwagon. The analysis is based on data from 26 states and the District of Columbia. The total climbs to 2.6 million patients if California, Washington and Maine are included, the AP estimates.

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SEATTLE (AP) — Marijuana has been shown to help ease pain and a few other health problems, yet two-thirds of U.S. states have decided pot should be legal to treat many other conditions with little scientific backing.

At least 1.4 million Americans are using marijuana for their health , according to an Associated Press analysis of states that track medical marijuana patients.

The number of medical marijuana cardholders more than tripled in the last five years as more states jumped on the bandwagon. The analysis is based on data from 26 states and the District of Columbia. The total climbs to 2.6 million patients if California, Washington and Maine are included, the AP estimates.

States that expanded the use of medical pot for common ailments such as severe pain, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety saw a boost in enrollment, the AP found.

The U.S. government, meanwhile, both considers marijuana an illegal drug and a therapeutic herb worth more study.

A look at the health claims and research on medical marijuana:

THE EVIDENCE

Besides chronic pain, there’s strong evidence marijuana or its ingredients can ease nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy and help with symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

Several European countries have approved Sativex, a mouth spray containing THC and CBD, for multiple sclerosis symptoms. Last year, U.S. regulators approved Epidiolex, made from CBD, to treat two rare seizure disorders. THC causes marijuana’s mind-altering effect; CBD doesn’t get people high.

British drugmaker GW Pharmaceuticals is seeking U.S. approval for Sativex. Other companies are pursuing Food and Drug Administration backing for products based on marijuana ingredients.

Arizona-based Insys Therapeutics, which filed for bankruptcy protection Monday as it faced fallout over its marketing of an addictive opioid painkiller, is developing CBD drugs for two types of childhood epilepsy and a rare genetic disorder. Pennsylvania-based Zynerba Pharmaceuticals is working on a CBD skin patch for autism and fragile X syndrome, a genetic condition.

Prescription drugs already on the market use synthetic THC to treat weight loss, nausea and vomiting in patients with AIDS or cancer. And researchers continue to study whether marijuana helps with PTSD, back pain and other problems.

OPIOID ALTERNATIVE?

New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New Mexico allow medical marijuana for opioid addiction despite little evidence it works.

But marijuana may be helpful in reducing use of opioid painkillers. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, better known for its research on herbs and yoga, has set aside $3 million for studies to determine which of marijuana’s 400-plus chemicals help with pain.

THC was excluded however.

Its mood-altering effects and potential for addiction and abuse make it less useful for pain, said Dr. David Shurtleff, the agency’s deputy director. And THC has been studied more than the lesser-known compounds.

CURE FOR CANCER?

Despite online claims, there’s only weak evidence that marijuana’s ingredients might one day be used to treat cancer. Most studies have been in animals or in the lab. Results have been mixed.

In one study, nine patients with an aggressive form of brain cancer had THC injected into their tumors; any effect on their survival was unclear. Another study found worrying evidence that marijuana might interfere with some cancer drugs, making them less effective.

RESEARCHING AN OUTLAW MEDICINE

The U.S. government grows marijuana for research at a farm in Mississippi and generally bans grant-funded studies of real-world products.

But a mobile lab inside a white Dodge van allows University of Colorado Boulder researchers to study the potent strains of marijuana many patients consume without running afoul of the law.

Study participants use marijuana in their homes, coming to the van for blood draws and other tests before and after using, said Cinnamon Bidwell who has federal grants to study marijuana’s effects on lower back pain and anxiety.

With increased demand for research pot, the Drug Enforcement Administration created an application process for growers, but has not acted on more than two dozen applications.

Such challenges are common for scientists studying an outlaw medicine, said Dr. Igor Grant, who directs the oldest marijuana research center in the U.S. at the University of California, San Diego.

There, scientists are studying marijuana chemicals for children with autism and adults with a brain disorder that causes uncontrollable shaking. Established by state law in 2000, the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research once relied solely on California for funding. The center now has support from private foundations, a sign of growing public acceptance of the research.

TRACKING PATIENTS

Minnesota medical marijuana patients must regularly fill out surveys about their symptoms and side effects. That allows researchers to study how people with cancer react to marijuana.

In one study, a third of cancer patients made only one purchase and didn’t come back during a four-month period. They may have died, or decided marijuana was too expensive or didn’t work. Of the rest, most reported improvements in vomiting, pain, disturbed sleep, anxiety and depression with few side effects.

Marijuana can ease many symptoms “all at one time,” but more study is needed, said study co-author Dr. Dylan Zylla of the health care system HealthPartners. He has no financial ties to cannabis companies.

Zylla is studying whether cancer patients can decrease their prescription opioid use while using marijuana.

Marijuana “does seem to help patients,” he said, “but so much is unknown about the risks, side effects and drug interactions.”

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AP data journalist Angeliki Kastanis in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

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This Associated Press series was produced in partnership with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Battling Sickle Cell Disease

The 6th Annual World Sickle Cell Day Awareness Symposium is June 19th.

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The Howard University Center for Sickle Cell Disease is hosting its 6thAnnual World Sickle Cell Day Awareness Symposium.  My guest is Dr. James Taylor – Director of the Center for Sickle Cell Disease at Howard University

The Howard University Center for Sickle Cell Disease is hosting its 6thAnnual World Sickle Cell Day Awareness Symposium June 19th.

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

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

Listen to this mornings segment here:

Can You Be A DC Homeowner?

Help and hope for home ownership in the District of Columbia.

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You want to be a DC homeowner… but don’t know where to start.  You may also be discouraged by the high cost of housing in the District which shows no sign of coming down anytime soon.  The DC Housing Expo and Home Show is coming up this weekend.  It’s the place to be as you look for information.

Resources:

DC Housing Expo and Home Show

Home Ownership Help For DC Employees

Polly Donaldson, Director, DC Department of Housing and Community Development

Deadly Helicopter Crash Into NYC Skyscraper

At least one person was killed after a helicopter crash in New York City.

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NEW YORK (AP) — The New York City Fire Department is responding to a report of a helicopter crash on the roof of a skyscraper in midtown Manhattan.

The Fire Department said in a tweet Monday that the helicopter appears to have crash landed on the top of the tower, which isn’t far from Rockefeller Center and Times Square.

An FDNY spokesman said at least one person was killed. The crash happened at around 2 p.m.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo told reporters that a fire began when the aircraft hit but is under control. Cuomo said it shook the building. He said there are no reports of injuries of people in the tower.

It was not immediately known what type of helicopter was involved.

Videos posted by onlookers showed emergency vehicles in the street, but no obvious damage to the skyscraper.

Entrepreneurs ROCK Event Is Coming UP!

Raised in the District of Columbia this entrepreneur thrives on giving back where every she can.

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Today I had the pleasure of speaking to the smart, funny and gifted creator of Entrepreneurs ROCK 2019 event.

It was created by Ashlee K.. During today’s FB Live show we talked about why and how she came up with the great idea to acknowledge local entrepreneurs in all faucets of business. We learned that she started her first business selling jewelry at the age of 10. Raised in the District of Columbia this entrepreneur thrives on giving back where every she can. This year’s Entrepreneurs Rock event will be held at Harmony Hall Arts Center in Fort Washington on Saturday, June 29th. Ashlee has set up a special code for our listeners just put in “WHUR”. Click here https://www.universe.com/events/entrepreneurs-rock-tickets-fort-washington-Q71SDB 

If you missed today’s “Around the DMV in 15 w/ Taylor Thomas you can click here: https://www.facebook.com/963WHUR/videos/vb.330873359609/618069825366141/?type=2&theater

If you have a guest or show topic that you would like me to consider. Send me the details. Please in the subject line put “Around The DMV in 15 w/ Taylor Thomas”

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

Seniors More Likely To Work Longer In Big Metropolitan Areas

“I consider myself to be a very fortunate person to still do what I loved at 27 at 74,” says Steve Burghardt, a professor of social work at the City University of New York. “I feel advantaged being in New York, where you’re exposed to sights and sounds and differences that are always exposing me to new ways to understand myself and to learn from other people.”

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CHICAGO (AP) — Seniors in major metropolitan areas, especially in the Northeast and around Washington, D.C., are more likely to continue working past age 65 than those in other areas around the country, according to an analysis of Census data by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

“Those are the areas where all of the jobs are, really,” says Anqi Chen, assistant director for savings research at Boston College’s Center for Retirement Research. “The coastal areas recovered well from the recession, while other areas have not.”

But it’s also the types of jobs in those areas — government, finance, law and academia — that keep seniors working longer, analysts say.

Older workers can be a boon to regional economies, increasing tax revenues, stimulating growth with more consumer spending and providing additional talent and expertise at a time of low unemployment, says Paul Irving, chairman of the Milken Institute Center for the Future of Aging.

Among counties with at least 6,000 residents, about 12% have at least 21% of their seniors working or actively looking for jobs, according to an analysis of the Census’ 2017 American Community Survey report. Of that group, nearly 25% are located within the Northeast or in Maryland or Virginia. And nearly 15% are within 70 miles (113 kilometers) of New York, Boston, Philadelphia or Washington, D.C.

“I consider myself to be a very fortunate person to still do what I loved at 27 at 74,” says Steve Burghardt, a professor of social work at the City University of New York. “I feel advantaged being in New York, where you’re exposed to sights and sounds and differences that are always exposing me to new ways to understand myself and to learn from other people.”

Two Washington suburbs, Falls Church, Virginia, and Alexandria, Virginia, are among the nation’s leaders in terms of senior labor force participation, with rates of nearly 37% and nearly 30%, respectively. This area is also home to one of the fastest growing senior labor forces in the country — three of the 11 counties that saw senior participation rates climb the fastest between 2009 and 2017 are located within 70 miles (113 kilometers) of Washington.

But large, populous counties don’t have a monopoly on senior participation in the labor force.

Vermont, one of the least populous states, holds two counties that rank among the top 100 (Windham and Washington counties) and eight among the top 329 in terms of senior participation.

“Despite whatever misnomers might exist, there is a great demand out there for mature workers,” says Mary Branagan, director of program and partner affairs at Associates for Training and Development, a workforce training and development outfit headquartered in Vermont.

Branagan helps oversee the state’s Senior Community Service Employment program, which matches qualifying unemployed state residents at least 55 years of age with paid internships that can help them update their skills and remain in the workplace longer. She says her company’s offices in Washington and Windham counties are among its largest statewide.

In other areas of the country, Colorado has six of the top 50 counties both in terms of senior labor force participation in 2017 and participation growth between 2009 and 2017.

And rural counties heavy in agricultural employment, especially in Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa, boast a considerable senior labor participation rate. Though the jobs are often labor intensive, agricultural professions maintain some of the highest median ages in the country, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

That’s due in part to much of U.S. agriculture being concentrated in family farms, the Department of Agriculture says. People can continue living and working on these operations well into their “retirement” years by scaling things down and renting land to other farmers.

At the other end of the spectrum, senior labor force participation in 2017 was less than 12% in nearly 14% of counties with at least 6,000 residents. Kentucky, Michigan, Georgia, Alabama, Florida and West Virginia collectively accounted for more than 50% of those bottom-ranking counties in terms of senior labor participation.

Senior participation contracted in more than 24% of counties between 2009 and 2017. Nearly 33% of those counties are located in Georgia, Texas, Missouri, Kentucky or North Carolina.

Experts say it’s these lower-ranking counties that are missing out on the potential benefits of a stronger senior labor force. These areas also stand to benefit most from targeted skills training investments and other initiatives that would spur seniors off the sidelines.

“It’s good for GDP growth overall and it’s generally just good for the health of the overall economy,” says Andrew Chamberlain, chief economist at employment hub Glassdoor, referring to senior participation in the workforce.

Chen notes manufacturing-heavy areas within the Rust Belt and in states including Alabama and Georgia are among those with the lowest senior labor participation. Manufacturing payrolls have plummeted over recent decades amid automation and globalization challenges. Labor-intensive jobs that are prominent in those areas often preclude folks from working later into life, and the types of white collar jobs that are more prevalent in larger cities are in shorter supply.

“It’s partly just how grim the job prospects are in a lot of micropolitan, or small city and rural, areas,” says Gary Burtless, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. “A lot of them are one-industry towns. And if that industry has been hit hard, that’s going to be a problem for younger workers and older workers.”

Burtless notes elderly labor force participation tends to be higher in urban areas where older workers are better educated, better compensated and less reliant on labor-intensive blue collar industries.

“The thinking as to why highly educated people tend to work longer is that they may enjoy better health. They may enjoy better working conditions,” says Jen Schramm, a strategic policy adviser for the AARP Public Policy Institute. “They are likely to be paid more, so that’s more of an incentive to keep working.”

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EDITOR’S NOTE — Andrew Soergel is studying aging and workforce issues as part of a 10-month fellowship at The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, which joins NORC’s independent research and AP journalism. The fellowship is funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

6 Ways To Stay Safe In Big Crowds

With the warm summer weather comes parades, festivals, concerts, and large events. While most people attend these events with the intention of having a good time, safety is a common concern. Here are a few precautions you can take to ensure you have a good time while also staying safe.

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Contributed by Digital Intern Ciana Moore

With the warm summer weather comes parades, festivals, concerts, and large events. While most people attend these events with the intention of having a good time, safety is a common concern. Here are a few precautions you can take to ensure you have a good time while also staying safe.

Don’t Split Up

In the event that something happens, avoid splitting up with your group as much as possible. This allows everyone to be accounted for.

Have a Meeting Place

In the event your group gets separated at some point, have a spot designated for your group to meet. This avoids the panic of trying to find people in a huge crowd.

Keep in Contact

Keep your phone charged and with you at all times. You should always keep your group informed on where you are. Your phone should also be used to call for a ride or for help in the event of an emergency.

Stay Hydrated

It is important to stay hydrated when attending events in large crowds. These events usually go on for long periods of time and large crowds often have people getting dehydrated from the heat. To avoid this, drink plenty of water prior to attending and carry water bottles with you if possible. And keep your drink in view at all times.

Always Stay Aware

It is important to stay alert while attending these events. This past weekend, I attended the Capitol Pride Parade and noticed several people running away from the parade. This prompted me to leave, as I knew this situation was going to escalate. 30 seconds later, I was in the metro and hundreds of people were running behind me. The parade was eventually shut down as there was a gun found on the scene by police. Being aware and trusting my instincts helped me avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

Have a Solid Plan for Your Ride Home

One of the most important safety concerns is how you plan to get home. Have a plan for your ride and in the event of an emergency, have a backup plan as well. Whether it is an Uber or Lyft, the metro, a friend or another form of transportation, make sure you are able to get home in a timely manner.

Vaping Device Maker Sponsoring Public Health Research

A statement from Meharry’s president and CEO, Dr. James Hildreth, says few issues require more research than “the rising prevalence of e-cigarettes, including how they affect young people.”

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A historically black college in Tennessee is planning to research the impact of electronic cigarettes and vaping with a grant from vaping device maker JUUL Labs.

Meharry Medical College in Nashville says that it and JUUL Labs have structured the $7.5 million grant in ways meant to ensure the “full autonomy” of the new Meharry Center for the Study of Social Determinants of Health, including “sole ownership of the sponsored research and complete control over publication of the findings.”

A statement from Meharry’s president and CEO, Dr. James Hildreth, says few issues require more research than “the rising prevalence of e-cigarettes, including how they affect young people.”

Rapper Bushwick Bill Of The Geto Boys Dies At 52

“I died and came back already on June 19, 1991 so I know what it’s like on the other side,” he said.

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Bushwick Bill, the diminutive, one-eyed rapper who with the Geto Boys helped put the South’s stamp on rap with hits like “Mind Playing Tricks On Me” and “Six Feet Deep,” died on Sunday at the age of 52, according to his publicist.

Dawn P. told The Associated Press that the rapper died Sunday at 9:35 p.m., local time, at a Colorado hospital. The publicist says the rapper, whose legal name is Richard Shaw, was surrounded by family when he died.

His Dallas-based business manager, Pete Marrero, said the rapper was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in February. He had been planning to go on tour around the time he was hospitalized.

In an interview with TMZ, Bushwick Bill said he wasn’t afraid of dying, referencing one of his songs, “Ever So Clear,” from his 1992 solo album, where he talks about shooting himself in the head and losing an eye when he was high on drugs.

“I died and came back already on June 19, 1991 so I know what it’s like on the other side,” he said.

He said he was working on new music because, “I notice when most celebrities pass, they really don’t have nothing set up for their children and everything’s in disarray so I figure, old music will sell but if I have new music for them … at least they will have residual income from those things.”

The Houston-based Geto Boys was a trio consisting of Bushwick Bill, Scarface and Willie D that launched in the late 1980s. Their gritty verses punctuated by tales of violence, misogyny and hustling made them platinum sensations and showed that rap had strength outside the strongholds of New York, where it got its start, and later Los Angeles.

Bushwick Bill was the group’s most explosive member, and played up his real-life chaos: The cover of the Geto Boys “We Can’t Be Stopped” features him on a gurney with a garish eye wound. Later, he would compare himself to the horror character Chucky, even writing a song about it.

On another of the group’s tracks, “Damn It Feels Good to be a Gangsta,” he rapped about being a smart gangster who was positioning himself for success and longevity rather than a violent early death. The song was featured in Mike Judge’s 1999 workplace satire “Office Space.”

The Jamaica-born rapper was widely reported to have died earlier Sunday after a bandmate wrote a post on Instagram suggesting so, but his publicist had said Sunday afternoon that those reports were premature.

Police Search For Man Who Touched 4-year-old Girl

Investigators say on May 29th a 4-year-old little girl was lured into an apartment building laundry room in Lewisdale, Maryland.

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In Prince George’s County Police have released a surveillance image of a person of interest in a case of a child touched.

Investigators say on May 29th a 4-year-old little girl was lured into an apartment building laundry room in Lewisdale, Maryland. Sources say the suspect offered the toddler some gum to go with him. Once in the room he touched her inappropriately. The mother lost site of the child during that time. Another reportedly child interrupted them and the little girl ran away.

Police are hoping the release of his picture and the details of the story will help them identify the person.

The suspect is in his 30s with a thin build and short hair. He had on a baseball cap and a bright blue t-shirt and khaki pants. Anyone with information should call Prince George’s County Sexual Assault Unit at 301-772-4908.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

AP Exclusive: 25 Years After Murders, OJ Says ‘Life Is Fine’

“We don’t need to go back and relive the worst day of our lives,” Simpson said. “The subject of the moment is the subject I will never revisit again. My family and I have moved on to what we call the ‘no negative zone.’ We focus on the positives.”

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — After 25 years living under the shadow of one of the nation’s most notorious murder cases, O.J. Simpson says his life has entered a phase he calls the “no negative zone.”

In a telephone Interview, Simpson told The Associated Press he is healthy and happy living in Las Vegas. And neither he nor his children want to look back by talking about June 12, 1994 — when his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman , were killed and Simpson quickly was transformed in the public mind from revered Pro Football Hall of Fame hero to murder suspect.

“We don’t need to go back and relive the worst day of our lives,” Simpson said. “The subject of the moment is the subject I will never revisit again. My family and I have moved on to what we call the ‘no negative zone.’ We focus on the positives.”

For a man who once lived for the spotlight , Simpson has been keeping a largely low profile since his release from prison in October 2017 after serving nine years for a robbery-kidnapping conviction in Las Vegas. He continues to believe his conviction and sentence for trying to steal back his own memorabilia were unfair but says, “I believe in the legal system and I honored it. I served my time.”

After his release from the prison in Lovelock, Nevada, many expected him to return to Florida where he had lived for several years. But friends in Las Vegas persuaded him to stay there despite the case that landed him in prison.

He’s glad he did.

“The town has been good to me,” Simpson said. “Everybody I meet seems to be apologizing for what happened to me here.”

His time in the city hasn’t been without controversy, however. A month after his release an outing to a steakhouse and lounge at the Cosmopolitan resort off the Las Vegas Strip ended in a dispute. Simpson was ordered off the property and prohibited from returning.

No such problems have occurred since, and Simpson is among the most sought-after figures in town for selfies with those who encounter him at restaurants or athletic events he attends occasionally.

He plays golf almost every day and said he is a member of a club of “retired guys” who compete with each other on the golf course. The knees that helped him run to football glory at the University of Southern California and with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills have been replaced and he recently had Lasik surgery on his eyes. But nearing his 72nd birthday, he is otherwise healthy.

Simpson said he remains close to his children and other relatives. His parole officer has given him permission to take short trips including to Florida where his two younger children, Justin and Sydney, have built careers in real estate.

His older daughter, Arnelle, lives with him much of the time but also commutes to Los Angeles.

“I’ve been to Florida two or three times to see the kids and my old buddies in Miami. I even managed to play a game of golf with them,” he said. “But I live in a town I’ve learned to love. Life is fine.”

He also visited relatives in Louisiana, he said, and spoke to a group of black judges and prosecutors in New Orleans.

Recently, a family wedding brought his extended family to Las Vegas including his brother, Truman; sister, Shirley; and their children and grandchildren. Simpson’s first wife, Marguerite, mother of Arnelle, also joined the group.

The glamor of his early life is just a memory.

After his football career, Simpson became a commercial pitchman, actor and football commentator. He was once a multimillionaire but he says most of his fortune was spent defending himself after he was charged with the murders.

His televised “Trial of the Century” lasted nearly a year and became a national obsession. He was acquitted by a jury in 1995 and has continued to declare his innocence. The murder case is officially listed as unsolved.

The families of the victims subsequently filed a civil suit against him, and in 1997 a civil court awarded a $33.5 million judgment against him for the wrongful deaths of his ex-wife and Goldman. Some of his property was seized and auctioned but most of the judgment has not been paid.

Simpson declined to discuss his finances other than to say he lives on pensions.

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Linda Deutsch is a retired special correspondent for The Associated Press. She covered all of Simpson’s legal cases during her 48-year career as a Los Angeles-based trial reporter.

Ex-Boston Slugger David Ortiz Shot At Dominican Republic Bar

“He is out of surgery and stable; he is resting,” Leo Ortiz said. “Big Papi will be around for a long time.”

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SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Former Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was hospitalized Monday following surgery for a gunshot wound after being ambushed by a man in a bar in his native Dominican Republic, authorities said.

Dominican National Police Director Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte said Ortiz was at the Dial Bar and Lounge in Santo Domingo around 8:50 p.m. Sunday when a gunman approached from behind and shot him at close range. Ortiz was taken to the Abel Gonzalez clinic, where he underwent surgery, and his condition was stable, Bautista said.

Ortiz’s father, Leo, speaking to reporters outside the clinic, said his son was out of danger and there wasn’t any collateral damage, meaning no damage to major organs. He said he had no idea why someone would have shot at his son.

“He is out of surgery and stable; he is resting,” Leo Ortiz said. “Big Papi will be around for a long time.”

The Boston Red Sox, in a statement early Monday, said they have been notified by Ortiz’s family that he sustained a gunshot wound to his “lower back/abdominal region” and that he is recovering after surgery.

The Red Sox said they offered the Ortiz family “all available resources to aid in his recovery” and they will continue to keep them in their hearts.

The alleged gunman was captured and beaten by a crowd of people at the bar, Bautista said. He said police are waiting until the man undergoes treatment for his injuries before questioning him.

Investigators are trying to determine whether Ortiz was the intended target, Bautista said.

Two other people were wounded, Bautista said, including Jhoel López, a Dominican TV host who was with Ortiz. Bautista said police believe López was wounded by the same bullet.

López was shot in the leg and his injuries were not life-threatening, said his wife, Liza Blanco, who is also a TV host.

Police did not identify the third person or detail that person’s injuries.

The Dial Bar and Lounge is located in eastern Santo Domingo on Venezuela Avenue, a bustling nightlife district packed with dance clubs and pricey bars that Ortiz is known to frequent. Ortiz, who lives at least part of the year in the Dominican Republic, is often seen getting his cars washed and hanging out with friends, including other baseball players, artists and entertainers.

The 43-year-old Ortiz hit 541 homers in 20 major league seasons, including 14 with the Red Sox. He helped lead Boston to three World Series titles and retired after the 2016 season. He was a 10-time All-Star and World Series MVP in 2013.

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

Virginia’s Primary Is Tuesday

Virginia’s Primary Is Tuesday…

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Voter’s will be able to cast their ballot in tomorrow’s important primary from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. You must have a photo ID to vote.

There are a number of highly contested races. Virginia does not allow residents to register and vote the same day. However, they do allow for voter’s to take part in either parties primary, but you can only vote in one. If you not registered you can not take part.

The races include Democratic and Republican Senate Seats, House of Delegates for both parties and a number of local races.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

Man With BB Gun At Capital Pride Parade Is Due In Court

The suspected gunman has been identified as 38-year-old Aftabjit Singh.

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There was mass hysteria after a man pulled out a BB gun Sunday at the Capitol Pride Parade.

Word of shots fired spread like wildfire causing panic in the large crowd. Metropolitan Police say the reports were not correct. No gun went off on Sunday. The news of that came after 7 people were hurt in the crowd. They were each treated at a local hospital and released.

The suspected gunman has been identified as 38-year-old Aftabjit Singh. He was released on Sunday and is due to make his first court appearance today. Singh told officers he pulled out the gun because a person was hitting on his significant other. Now while in police custody reportedly he threatened to “shoot” someone at the parade.

He faces a number of charges including possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of a BB gun, carrying a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

A Culturally Rich Three- Day Fine Arts Exhibit

The Harlem Fine Arts Show returns to DC at Howard University

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The Harlem Fine Arts Show is making its way to the DMV and I have the details this morning on how you can take part in this culturally rich three-day exhibit.  My guest is Dion Clarke – Founder of the Harlem Fine Arts Show (HFAS)

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

Tune in to Taking it to the Streets weekday mornings at 6:15, 7:08 and 8:40 on the Steve Harvey Morning Show.  Follow me on facebook, twitter and Instagram at @bobbygailes for updates and to stay connected.

Listen to this mornings segment here:

THE JOURNEY: “Stacey Mobley – Getting to Know the Chair”

President Frederick chats with Howard alum and chair of the Howard University Board of Trustees Stacey Mobley.

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ABOUT

For decades as an attorney in corporate America, Stacey Mobley has championed workforce diversity.  Named one of America’s “100 most influential lawyers,” he now serves as chair of the Howard University Board of Trustees.  On this episode of “The Journey,” President Frederick chats with Howard alum Stacey Mobley about his personal, educational and legal roots and his vision for the University.

Air Date: September 16, 2018

JUST IN: The Journey is now available on iTunes. Tune in today!

DC Gentrification Impacting Black Small Businesses

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It’s been an ongoing issue with the attack on small businesses in  DC. Recently, Metro PCS was told to turn off their go-go music on the corner of Florida and 7th street. Now, we’re dealing with a popular bookstore in the Shaw community. Sankofa Video Books and Café are fighting to remain in the District. Tonight, they will share their story on tax relief and they’re recent meeting with DC Council. If you’re having issues with your small business the conversation is for you. Our guest tonight….

AUDIO:

Dr. Natalie Hopkinson- Assistant Professor with Howard University Communication, Culture & Media Studies

Website: howard.edu

Website: nataliehopkinson.com

Shirkiana Gerima- Co-Owner of Sankofa Video Books & Cafe

Website: events.sankofa.com

Prince George’s Elementary School On Lockdown

Patuxent elementary school went on lock-down down today following a man entering the school and acting strangely. The man was taken into police custody.

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A tense time at a Prince George’s County elementary school today after it was lock down following a man entering the school acting erratically. Police say that man is now in custody. The man entered Patuxent Elementary School this afternoon during the school’s aftercare program.  There was concern that the man had a gun, but police say there is no evidence that the man had a weapon.

Local Mayor Charged With Buying Illegal Fireworks

District Heights’ mayor is charged with buying fireworks that are illegal. Mayor Eddie Martin faces misdemeanor charges.

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District Heights, Maryland Mayor Eddie Martin is being charged with misconduct in office for allegedly buying restricted fireworks for a friend. The state prosecutor’s office says Martin signed a letter on city letterhead in 2017 approving a 50-thousand dollar purchase of Class B and Class C fireworks he claimed would be used for city purposes. Those fireworks can only be purchased by municipalities or with a federal explosive license.

Actress Kim Coles Coming to the DMV to Teach You to “Love Your Story”

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Washington, D.C. (Friday, June 7, 2019) –  Actress and comedian Kim Coles is sharing some of the valuable lessons she has learned in her 34 plus years in the industry.  Kim stopped by the WHUR studios today to talk about her upcoming project she’s calling a brunch and learn workshop entitled “Love Your Story.”  “I want to teach others to use their own powerful stories to build their biz and their brand.  The goal is to empower, educate, and entertain others while using what people already have to compel others to engage, said Kim.”

Kim sat down to chat about her own story with our WHUR Digital Reporter Candice Adkins.

 

  • The “Love Your Story” workshops will be held Saturday, June 22, 2019 from 2pm to 5:30pm at the new Timothy Dean Restaurant in Bowie, Maryland. 

 

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SE Youth Prepare for Sew N Know Fashion Show

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Washington, D.C. (Friday, June 7, 2019)  – Who needs New York Fashion Week, when you have students from the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center (SETLC) in Washington, D.C. preparing to strut their stuff at the 12th Annual Sew N Know Fashion Show.  The big event takes place Saturday, June 8th at 2pm at SETLC at 701 Mississippi Avenue, SE.  This is where students ages 4 to 12 get to show off their fashion designs and style as they walk the runway at the center.

The SEW N Know is operated through the DC Department of Parks and Recreation as part of an after-school program at more than a dozen facilities across the District, including at SETLC.  It teaches the youngsters about the fashion industry, art, design techniques, and science.  WHUR Digital Reporter Candice Adkins got a chance to preview the show Thursday while the students were practicing their fashion walk.  Candice spoke with Sew N Know Program Director Janice Rankins and her assistant Jamila Madyun..

 

The students will be changing in a wide range of gear representing a spectrum of colors.  The even have matching shoes and wigs.  The SewN Know Fashion Show is free and open to the public.  Everyone is invited to attend and support the youngsters of SE.

 

For more information about the Sew N Know program, check out  Instagram @rwlc_setlc.

The Cast Of Broadway’s ‘Ain’t Too Proud’ Very Proud Of Show

“Ain’t Too Proud,” which goes into Sunday’s Tony Awards with 12 nominations, charts the rise, sacrifices and challenges facing the 1960s group that sang “Baby Love” and “My Girl.” Audiences have noted its echoes with Black Lives Matter and racial tensions today.

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NEW YORK (AP) — For Jeremy Pope, the idea of playing one of The Temptations was a daunting proposition. Thankfully, he got some advice and help from an original Temptation.

During rehearsals for the jukebox musical “Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations,” Otis Williams, the last original member, arrived to give his support.

“He just gave me the biggest hug and he said, ‘You got it. You got it.’ And he invited us to his hotel room, and we sat there for I think five hours and we just, he just told stories and talked,” Pope said.

While doing his research, which included listening to the band’s entire catalog and speaking to civil rights activist U.S. Rep. John Lewis, Pope made an important connection.

“I think one thing that I pay attention to now listening to the music is you can hear the struggle and the pain behind their voices and why they’re singing the songs the way they are singing. And if you go back to a marker and go, what was happening in that year? You’ll go, ‘Oh, civil rights. Oh, segregation.’”

“Ain’t Too Proud,” which goes into Sunday’s Tony Awards with 12 nominations, charts the rise, sacrifices and challenges facing the 1960s group that sang “Baby Love” and “My Girl.” Audiences have noted its echoes with Black Lives Matter and racial tensions today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aYqWfCKyio

Pope, who plays group member Eddie Kendricks, marvels at the fact that The Temptations were becoming icons “in a time where they were unsure of their own safety.”

For actor Ephraim Sykes, who plays David Ruffin, the reaction has also been deeply personal. One audience member came up after a show to tell Sykes that he would play “My Girl” when his daughter was born.

“This man cried in front of me, thinking about how much that song meant to him and that we brought it back for him in a real way,” Sykes said.

Ruffin’s grandson thanked the actors for teaching audiences “not just the Temptations’ story but the story of our country.”

Working on the show, Derrick Baskin, who plays Williams, learned the many stories behind the beautiful notes.

“Knowing their stories more it helps us to actually appreciate what they put into the music spiritually and emotionally that I think audiences actually gravitate toward,” Baskin said.

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Follow John Carucci at http://www.twitter.com/jacarucci

Spike Lee Calls For Hollywood To ‘Shut It Down’ In Georgia

Georgia’s economy currently gets a $9.5 billion annual boost from the industry.

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Director Spike Lee is calling for Hollywood production companies to leave Georgia over a law that would ban abortions as early as six weeks, upon detection of a fetal heartbeat.

Most studios that have commented have said they’re waiting to see if the so-called “heartbeat” law actually takes effect next year, or if the courts will block it. But at the arrivals line for Denzel Washington’s AFI Lifetime Achievement tribute Thursday, Lee said now is the time for Georgia-based productions to “shut it down” and boycott the state’s booming film industry to drive change.

Lee acknowledged that a mass exodus could dent livelihoods, but cited black bus drivers affected by the Civil Rights Movement-era boycott in Montgomery.

Georgia’s economy currently gets a $9.5 billion annual boost from the industry.

Julia Roberts, Spike Lee Toast Denzel Washington At Event

“We’re all here because we love Denzel,” said Lee, who has directed Washington in four movies (“Mo’ Better Blues,” ″He Got Game,” ″Malcolm X” and “Inside Man”). “Denzel represents our black manhood.”

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Denzel Washington was the man of the hour Thursday night with everyone from Julia Roberts to Spike Lee turning out to celebrate him as this year’s recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award. But when he finally took the stage to accept the honor he did something unexpected: At his own award ceremony, Washington turned the spotlight away from himself and gave his wife of 40 years, Pauletta Washington, her own standing ovation.

The crowd of multigenerational Hollywood A-listers, from Michael B. Jordan and Mahershala Ali to Cicely Tyson and Morgan Freeman, readily obliged.

“I would not be alive without Pauletta Washington,” Washington said. “I wouldn’t survive.”

It’s a difficult task to have a moment stand out in an evening that included a surprise Beyoncé appearance (there briefly to present an honor to director Melina Matsoukas) and an earth shattering rendition of Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” by Jennifer Hudson that brought Washington to his feet, but he managed to do it.

As Roberts, Tyson and others attested throughout the evening, two-time Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington is a family man first. Seated alongside Pauletta Washington, his son Malcolm Washington, Lee, Tyson and directors Carl Franklin and Ed Zwick, the 64-year-old was for two hours taken on an emotional tour through his storied career in Hollywood — from eager newcomer to movie star to acclaimed director — by those who were by his side.

“We’re all here because we love Denzel,” said Lee, who has directed Washington in four movies (“Mo’ Better Blues,” ″He Got Game,” ″Malcolm X” and “Inside Man”). “Denzel represents our black manhood.”

Lee, the final speaker of the evening, likened Washington to other “G.O.A.Ts” (greatest of all time) like Michael Jordan, Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis.

“That’s the rarefied air that Denzel Washington lives and breathes in,” Lee said.

Lee also said that, although he might be biased, “Malcolm X is the greatest performance ever committed to celluloid.”

And others were just as effusive. Roberts recalled that working with him on “The Pelican Brief” was like “working with the Beatles.”

He is, as Jamie Foxx put it, “someone who is just better than everybody else … when it comes to acting!”

“Even Leonardo DiCaprio is like, ‘I am really frightened of Denzel,’” Foxx added.

The American Film Institute brought out a host of the next generation’s brightest talents to talk about Washington’s impact on them, too.

“Mr. Washington’s arrival was a seismic moment for my generation. You paved the way,” Ali said. “Your influence, your reach transcends race without ever denying it.”

Michael B. Jordan said he was inspired by the story that while filming “Glory,” Washington kept wearing his fake scars in a scene where he had his shirt on. Jordan employed the same technique for his “Black Panther” character.

Chadwick Boseman even went so far as to say, “There is no ‘Black Panther’ without Denzel Washington.”

Issa Rae brought Washington to tears of laughter as she recounted the very adult noises she remembers her mom and aunt making while watching his movies when she was a little girl. She came to understand it, she said, when she watched “Devil in A Blue Dress” when she was a little older.

Washington stayed alert and amused throughout the evening, laughing heartily when Jodie Foster said that they were all there to, “kiss your black a–,” and yelling “Let it out, Morgan!” when Freeman took a long pause after announcing with an expletive how jealous he was. He and Lee were as playful as schoolboys during the “hoodwinked and bamboozled” speech from “Malcolm X,” reciting the lines along with the reel, and he accepted a long line of well-wishers during the dinner break.

And when it finally came time for him to speak, in addition to thanking his wife for “40 years of sacrifice and 40 years of forgiveness,” Washington used his moment on stage to talk about God and those who have helped him along the way.

“If nothing else I’m living proof of the power of God,” Washington said. “I like acting. I like making movies … But my love for God is stronger than anything else.”

The 47th AFI Life Achievement Award Gala, put on with the support of Audi, also recognized Matsoukas with the Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal, providing everyone with an early thrill when Beyoncé came out to speak about her friend and collaborator, who directed her “Formation” video among others.

“She is holding up a mirror for people who look like you and me to see ourselves, saying, ‘You are beautiful and your stories matter,’” Beyoncé said. “She stays authentic to her roots and femininity in an industry dominated by men.”

Matsoukas said that without her, “I’m not the same voice and I’m not the same creator.”

The ceremony will be broadcast on TNT at 10 p.m. on June 20.

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Follow AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ldbahr

FBI Agents Have Foiled A Times Square Attack

The suspect is due in a Brooklyn Federal courtroom later today.

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FBI Agents have arrested a man they say was planning to stage an attack in Time Square in New York.

The suspect who is due to make his first court appearance today has not been identified. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force made the arrest yesterday following his inquiry to buy weapons online. After communicating with him they learned of his deadly plot. Initially, it was reported that he was looking for grenades but we have information this hour that he may have been looking for a suicide bomb vest.

The suspect is due in a Brooklyn Federal courtroom later today. It’s believed he acted alone but officials are still looking to see if he had ties to any terrorist group. There’s no word on a motif.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

5 Ways To Protect Yourself While Staying At An Airbnb

Airbnb reports over 150 million people have used Airbnb and an average of 2 million people book an Airbnb each day. Here are some tips to staying safe during your Airbnb stay.

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Contributed by Ciana Moore

Airbnbs are becoming increasingly popular as we’re traveling for the summer and trying to cut costs by avoiding expensive hotel prices. Airbnb reports over 150 million people have used Airbnb and an average of 2 million people book an Airbnb each day. Here are some tips to staying safe during your Airbnb stay.

1. Stay WITH someone you know and trust

Avoid staying in Airbnbs alone. This is very common practice for Airbnb guests. Staying with a friend or loved one will help you feel safer in a new environment.

2. Read the reviews first

Every Airbnb host has reviews as well as a rating on how good of a host they are overall. Avoid staying in Airbnbs that don’t have many reviews or a low rating. Ratings are on a scale of 0-5 stars, with 5 being the best.

3. Document everything and take plenty of pictures

When you arrive to check in, let someone else know at the time you arrive. If you experience any issues with your Airbnb host, record the situation and report it to Airbnb or call for help if the situation escalates.

4. Communicate with your host exclusively on the Airbnb platform

Airbnb offers a messaging feature on their site, which allows you to message your host instantly. You can use this tool to ask any questions you need and inform them of your travel plans. This also helps you avoid providing your personal contact information to your host.

5. Do a safety check

Upon arriving to your Airbnb, make sure you know where all exits are, as well as the emergency equipment such as the first aid kit.

DC Attorney General Sues 6 MD Parents For Residency Fraud

In total, the parents are being sued in civil court for $320,000 dollars.

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DC Attorney General Karl Racine has filed suit against 6 more Maryland parents for residency fraud.

Racine says the parents lied repeatedly on legal documents about where they actually lived. He says they did so so their children could go to high performing city schools for free.

In total, the parents are being sued in civil court for $320,000 dollars. Three of the accused are current or former DC government employees. Racine says they not only defrauding city taxpayers but they are taking away seats that should go to a child who lives in the District.

The people identified are Danielle and Christopher Anderson of Upper Marlboro. The government seeks to recoup about $137,000 for their child who attended two schools in the city from 2008 to 2016.

Michelle and Donald William of Huntington are being sued for $109,000. Their child attended a DC school part of the 2004/2005 school year and then again from 2006 to 2013.

Claudine Tchapchet and Habib Aziz Jah of Accokeek and Hyattsville respectively are accused of sending three of their children to DC schools from 2011 to 2014. The government is seeking more than $82,000 from them.

DC officials say District residents are allowed to send their children to traditional public or public charter schools in the city for free. Nonresidents can apply for admission and pay a fee between $10,000 to $14,000 a year.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

#Wearorange Kicks Off Today

Today starts the National Gun Violence Awareness Weekend. It runs from June 7 – 9th.

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Today starts the National Gun Violence Awareness Weekend. It runs from June 7 – 9th. There are a number of events planned across the country.

The Wear Orange Campaign was created by the parents of Hadiya Pendleton. The 15-year-old was gunned down in 2013 a week after performing at President Obama’s 2nd Annual Inaugural Parade in the District. The color orange was chosen because it draws attention. Organizers say its the perfect color to increase attention and awareness to gun violence in this country.

Throughout the weekend the campaign is asking people to post pictures on social media and explain why they support the cause. You are asked to use the hashtag, #Wearorange.

Saturday at 1 p.m. the family of murdered Brian T. Davis will join other victim families for the #Wearorange community event at Parkview Recreation Center 693 Otis Place, NW.

This event is open to all. The purpose is for the community to come together with thousands across America to work together to end gun violence.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

June is LBGTQ Pride Month: Insight on the Capital Pride Parade

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June is LGBTQ pride month and this weekend is pretty exciting for the community. We’re gearing up for Capital Pride weekend, a celebration of liberation and embracing self-love. As you know its still a struggle for many people to come out about their sexuality. But our guest will explain how far the LBGTQ community has come and what they’re still fighting for.

Audio:

Ashley Smith-President of Capital Pride Alliance

Instagram: @capitalpridedc

Website: www.capitalpride.org

Capital Pride Parade

Date: June 8th

4:30-8pm

Dupont & Logan Circle

Captial Pride Festival

3rd Street & Pennsylvannia Ave.

Date: June 9th

Time: 12pm-10pm

Amanda Tuck-LBGTQ Activist

 

Shiqueeta Lee-Drag Queen & Female Impersonator

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shiqueeta

More Measle Cases In Virginia

Health officials in the Virginia identify more measles cases. Dulles Airport one of the sites identified.

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Virginia health officials are warning the public about a possible measles exposure at Dulles International Airport and two other locations. Officials say anyone who was at Dulles Airport, near Terminal A and baggage claim on June 2nd from 5:30 p.m. through 8:00 p.m. may have been exposed to a person with measles. Also, anyone near the Novant Health UVA Health System Haymarket Medical Center emergency room on June 2nd from 11:00 p.m. through Jun 3rd at 4:30 a.m. could have been exposed. The third location is Inova Fair Oaks Hospital on June 4th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Anyone in those areas who has not been vaccinated should contact the health department and a doctor.

FBI To Investigate American Deaths In Dominican Republic

A couple from Prince George’s County died in their Dominican Republic hotel last week. Now the FBI is investigating.

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The FBI and State Department are now looking into the deaths of three Americans who died at a hotel in the Dominican Republic. Two of the dead, a Prince George’s County couple, Nathaniel Holmes and Cynthia Day. On May 30th they were found dead, of respiratory failure, in their hotel room. A Pennsylvania woman died just five days before, under similar circumstance, at the same resort, but different hotel.

Obamas To Produce Exclusive Podcasts For Spotify

The Obamas launched Higher Ground in 2018 with an initial partnership with Netflix. The idea was to raise new, diverse voices in the entertainment industry. The Spotify partnership seeks to expand the conversation.

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company is teaming up with Spotify to produce exclusive podcasts for the platform.

Under the Higher Ground partnership announced Thursday, the former president and first lady will develop and lend their voices to select podcasts.

The Obamas launched Higher Ground in 2018 with an initial partnership with Netflix. The idea was to raise new, diverse voices in the entertainment industry. The Spotify partnership seeks to expand the conversation.

In a statement, the former president says podcasts offer an opportunity to “foster productive dialogue, make people smile and make people think.”

Michelle Obama says she hopes they can help people connect emotionally and open their hearts and minds.

Campground Employee Charged For Pulling Gun On Black Couple

Ruby Howell, 70 has been arrested and charged with threatening exhibition of a weapon.

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There’s an update to a story that made the headlines earlier this year. The Mississippi Kampgrounds of America worker that was fired for pulling a gun on a black couple on site without a permit is back in the news.

Ruby Howell, 70 has been arrested and charged with threatening exhibition of a weapon. Yesterday she turned herself into the Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office. Howell was released after posting a $500 bond the sheriff’s office said.

Jessica Richardson recorded the encounter with her cell phone. She states that she was enjoy the day with her husband Franklin Richardson when the worker pulled a gun and told them that they didn’t have a reservation for the lake and they had to leave. Howell says she then put the gun in the pocket of her shorts and told the couple, “Well, I’m just telling you you need to leave because it’s under private ownership. Y’all just can’t be out here.

Kampgrounds of American fired Howell because they said that they do not condone the use of firearms on its properties. Kampgrounds of American is self-described as the world’s largest system of “open to the public campgrounds”. It runs more than 500 sites in the U.S. and Canada.

Howell faces up to three months in county jail and a fine of up to $500 if found guilty of threatening exhibition of weapons.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963