Helping young girls to live their best life. A Bigger Picture, Inc. has been on a mission to guide girls on the right path for nearly a decade with their “Unleashed: Defining Your Power, Purpose and Passion” conference. And they have another big event is coming up. My guest this morning is Toya Evans – Board President of “A Bigger Picture, Inc.
A Bigger Picture, Inc. is hosting a one-day conference Saturday, May 4thfrom 8am to 2pm at The Catholic University of America targeting young girls in grades 6th– 12thfor its annual “Unleashed: Defining Your Power, Purpose, and Passion Conference.”. For more information go here:
Tune in to Taking it to the Streets, weekday mornings at 6:15, 7:08 and 8:35 on the Steve Harvey Morning Showon 96.3 WHUR.
Follow me on facebook and twitter at @bobbygailes for updates and to stay connected.
Now that your cold-weather clothes are tucked away… it’s time to put your best face forward for Spring and Summer. Grooming changes with the weather for men and women. For women, your make up regimen also changes as the weather warms up. Some of those changes my surprise you. What do you need to know? Our experts to share the dos and don’ts.
(Washington, DC) — A fifth-grade student who attended a private school in Washington, DC is dead following the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka. CNN reports a child killed in the attack was a student at the Sidwell Friends school in DC. The school emailed parents of students with the news that Kieran Shafritz de Zoysa died in the blasts. He was on a leave of absence from Sidwell, and was living and studying in Sri Lanka. Kieran was supposed to return to the private school for middle school next year. Nearly 300 people died and more than 500 were injured in a series of bombings at churches and hotels across the country.
Local 13-year-old author & filmmaker inspires kids
Posted by
Posted on
Today we talked to 13-year old Miguel Coppedge, a bestselling author of 3 books and a honors student who by age of 10 published two books and became a filmmaker, speaker, philanthropist, an app developer, and recognized as an Everyday Young Hero by Youth Service America for being a leader and empowering youth to make positive changes in the world. His motto is, “You’re never too young to do anything.” In addition, to these accomplishments Miguel has recently won a $10,000 scholarship and is waiting a decision from 13 other national scholarship funds. His mother, Yolanda Coppedge, has taken the initiative and pushed her son to go after his dreams understanding that he can do whatever he wants to do. She advises parents to do all that they can to support their children and take the time to find out what they are interested in.
Kidpreneur Miguel has a Gofundme account to raise money to buy his books for kids without access. He’s also partnered with DC Metropolitan Police Department to build relationships between them and the communities and bring back community policing through his Best Seller “Friendly Officers”. A portion of his book sales go to St. Ann’s Children’s Youth and Families Center. He was a foster child before he was adopted. Miguel speaks and reads his books at schools, clubs, camps, childcare centers, and other events. He will be in Texas next month speaking at the Boys and Girls Club. For more information about Miguel Coppedge you can visit him online at www.miguelcoppedge.com.
Join us each and every Monday live on WHUR FB at 12:30 for another edition of “Around the DMV in 15 with Taylor Thomas”. Hey, we are always looking for interesting guests and topics. If you have something email me at tthomas@whur.com. Please in the subject line put “Around the DMV in 15 w/ TT”.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963
Jaime Foxx and Wanda Sykes will be taking the roles of George and Weezy in the upcoming special. These roles were previously enacted by Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford.
For one-night only, the long running sitcom The Jeffersons will be returning for a tribute to TV classics. All in the Family will also appear.The Jeffersons is one of the longest running sitcoms and the second longest running American series with a predominantly African American cast. It first aired on January 18, 1975.
Jimmy Kimmel will honor the iconic sitcoms, The Jeffersons and All in the Family in a new TV Special that will air in May. This one-night special will feature a live broadcast with new stars in the roles we loved watching.
The famous 70s sitcom, a spin-off of All in the Family, followed a Black couple “who moved on up” to the East Side of Manhattan from Queens after the success of George’s dry cleaning chain. The show broke many barriers in mainstream TV in the 70s. This show was the first to feature a married interracial couple on screen.
Jaime Foxxand Wanda Sykes will be taking the roles of George and Weezy in the upcoming special. These roles were previously enacted by Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford.
The live, 90-minute special will air May 22 on ABC. Kimmel will co-host, with Brent Miller, Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Justin Theroux as executive producers. This event will highlight the pioneers in television and show how far we’ve come in the TV industry.
Are you looking for a career where you are helping and giving back to the community? Fairfax County Fire and Rescue is looking for a few good men and women to join their team. My guest is Capt. Francis Mensah – Recruitment Section Supervisor for Fairfax County Fire and Rescue
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue is recruitment for firefighters and EMTs. The starting salary is over $55,000.00. Applications will be accepted online. You must be 18 years or old. Have a high school diploma or GED, be drug free for the last 12 months, have a valid driver’s license, and no more than one moving violation in the past 12 months. For more details, visit 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.
NEW YORK (AP) — “Today” show co-anchor Jenna Bush Hager is pregnant with her third child.
The 37-year-old journalist shared the news with colleagues during Monday morning’s show. The announcement comes less than a week after her co-anchor, Hoda Kotb, announced she had adopted her second child. She joined the fourth hour of the “Today” show as co-host earlier this month when Kathie Lee Gifford stepped down from her role .
Hager, and her husband, Henry, are the parents of daughters 6-year-old Mila and 3-year-old Poppy.
The children’s grandparents are former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura.
There’s been another serious vehicle accident in the Metropolitan area. Sunday afternoon police were called to a car accident at 16th and V Streets in Southeast.
Six people were involved. A pedestrian was also injured. The victims include two underage occupants. At last check, three people remain in critical condition. DC Fire officials say one of the vehicles rolled over and two people had to be extracted from one of the cars. There is no word yet on what caused the accident.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963
The search is on this morning for a rapist on the loose in Montgomery County. The victim said that happened on Saturday night around 10:15.
She had that she got off of a ride on bus at Watkins Mill Road in Montgomery Village. She said she began to notice that a man was following her, so she started to run and he ran after her. Tackling her in the 19300 block of Watkins Mill Road and dragging her into a wood area and sexually assaulted her.
The victim managed to escape from her attacker and walk home. She then to the hospital for treatment. Police are working on a composite sketch of the suspect. Anyone with information should call police at 240-773-5400.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963
″‘The Beautiful Ones’ is the deeply personal account of how Prince Rogers Nelson became the Prince we know: the real-time story of a kid absorbing the world around him and creating a persona, an artistic vision, and a life, before the hits and the fame that would come to define him,” Random House announced.
NEW YORK (AP) — The memoir Prince was working on at the time of his death is coming out Oct. 29.
Random House confirmed Monday to The Associated Press that “The Beautiful Ones” will combine Prince unfinished manuscript with rare photos, scrapbooks and lyrics. First announced just weeks before his 2016 death, the 288-page book will include an introduction by New Yorker writer Dan Piepenbring, whom Prince had chosen as a collaborator. The memoir is an exclusive partnership with the Prince Estate.
″‘The Beautiful Ones’ is the deeply personal account of how Prince Rogers Nelson became the Prince we know: the real-time story of a kid absorbing the world around him and creating a persona, an artistic vision, and a life, before the hits and the fame that would come to define him,” Random House announced.
The book will span from Prince’s childhood to his early years as a musician to the cusp of international stardom, using Prince’s own writings, a scrapbook of his personal photos, and the original handwritten lyric sheets for many of his most iconic songs, which he kept at Paisley Park. The book depicts Prince’s evolution through deeply revealing, never-before-shared images and memories and culminates with his original handwritten treatment for his masterwork, ‘Purple Rain.’”
Piepenbring’s introduction will touch upon Prince’s final days, “a time when Prince was thinking deeply about how to reveal more of himself and his ideas to the world, while retaining the mystery and mystique he’d so carefully cultivated.”
Prince died three years ago, on April 21, from an accidental overdose of fentanyl at the age of 57.
In 2018, literary agent Esther Newberg told Variety that Prince had completed more than 50 handwritten pages.
The book’s editor, Chris Jackson, said in a statement “The Beautiful Ones” was “a beautiful tribute to his life.”
“It’s also much more than that: it’s a genuinely moving and energizing literary work, full of Prince’s ideas and vision, his voice and image,” said Jackson, whose other authors have included comedian Trevor Noah and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates. “It’s a treasure not just for Prince fans but for anyone who wants to see one of our greatest creative artists and original minds at work on his greatest creation: himself.”
___
This story has been corrected to show the New Yorker writer’s last name is Piepenbring, not Piepenberg.
A go-cart accident in has claimed the life of an 11-year-old girl in Dunkirk, Maryland. The girl was driving the motorized cart with a 7-year-old and 12-year-old passengers when the crashed happened.
According to the sheriff’s office, the 11-year-old made a right turn while on Golf Club Drive and the car overturned. She was rushed to the hospital by helicopter where she later was pronounced dead. The 7 and 12-year-olds were also injured but not seriously. The victims’ names have not been released.
The accident is still under investigation.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963
“I cannot describe in words what we went through growing up,” said the oldest son, now 27. “Sometimes I still have nightmares of things that have happened, such as my siblings being chained up or getting beaten. But that is the past and this is now. I love my parents and have forgiven them for a lot of the things that they did to us.”
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — The eldest son and daughter of a couple who starved and shackled 12 of their children spoke publicly for the first time Friday, alternately condemning and forgiving their parents before a judge sentenced the pair to up to life in prison.
Since being freed from their prison-like home more than a year ago, the two adult children of David and Louise Turpin described how they had gained control of their lives and, despite receiving little education at home, were now enrolled in college and learning simple things, including how to ride a bike, swim and prepare a meal. They are still thin from years of malnutrition.
“I cannot describe in words what we went through growing up,” said the oldest son, now 27. “Sometimes I still have nightmares of things that have happened, such as my siblings being chained up or getting beaten. But that is the past and this is now. I love my parents and have forgiven them for a lot of the things that they did to us.”
The hearing put an end to a shocking case that had gone unnoticed until a 17-year-old girl escaped from the home in January 2018 and called 911. Investigators discovered a house of horrors hidden behind a veneer of suburban normalcy.
The children — ages 2 to 29 — had been chained to beds, forced to live in squalor, fed only once a day, allowed to shower only once a year and deprived of toys and games. They slept during the day and were active a few hours at night.
As her children spoke from a lectern, 50-year-old Louise Turpin sobbed and dabbed her eyes with tissues.
“I’m sorry for everything I’ve done to hurt my children,” she said. “I love my children so much.”
Her husband, who was shaking and could not initially read from a written statement, let his lawyer speak for him until he regained his composure. He did not apologize for the abuse but wished his children well in with their educations and future careers and hoped they would visit him. He then began sobbing.
Jack Osborn, a lawyer representing the seven adult Turpin children, said they understand the consequences of their parents’ actions and are working hard toward forgiving them. Some plan to talk with their parents eventually, but others want no contact with them for 10 years.
The one who called police was a hero for liberating her siblings, Osborn said.
“Maybe but for that we wouldn’t be here today,” he said.
The sentence of life with no chance of parole for 25 years was no surprise. It had been agreed to when the couple pleaded guilty in February to 14 counts each that included torture, cruelty and false imprisonment.
The courtroom fell hushed as the oldest daughter, now 30, entered wearing a blue cardigan over a white shirt, her dark hair in a ponytail. Her eyes were already red from crying when she began to speak in the voice of a little girl.
“My parents took my whole life from me, but now I’m taking my life back,” she said, as her mother’s lower lip quivered trying to hold back the tears. “Life may have been bad but it made me strong. I fought to become the person I am. I saw my dad change my mom. They almost changed me, but I realized what was happening. I immediately did what I could to not become like them.”
There was no explanation from the parents or lawyers about why the abuse occurred, but a letter from one of the children read by an attorney hinted at a home life that veered from birthday celebrations and trips to Disneyland and Las Vegas to severe punishment and disarray.
“Through the years, things became more and more overwhelming, but they kept trusting in God,” the girl wrote “I remember our mother sitting in her recliner and crying, saying she don’t know what to do.”
She said her parents did not know the children were malnourished because they thought the children inherited a gene from their mother, who was small.
From the outside, the home in a middle-class section of Perris, a small city about 60 miles (96 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles, appeared to be neatly kept, and neighbors rarely saw the kids outside, but nothing triggered suspicion.
But when deputies arrived, they were shocked to find a 22-year-old son chained to a bed and two girls who had just been set free from shackles. All but one of the 13 children were severely underweight and had not bathed for months. The house was filled with the stench of human waste.
The children said they were beaten, caged and shackled if they did not obey their parents. Investigators concluded that the couple’s youngest child, a toddler, was the only one who was not abused.
David Turpin, 57, had been an engineer for Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. Louise Turpin was listed as a housewife in a 2011 bankruptcy filing.
The teenage daughter who escaped jumped from a window. After a lifetime in isolation, the 17-year-old did not know her address, the month of the year or what the word “medication” meant.
But she knew enough to punch 911 into a barely workable cellphone and began describing years of abuse to a police dispatcher.
Although the couple filed paperwork with the state to homeschool their children, learning was limited. The oldest daughter only completed third grade.
Referring to the restraints, the oldest daughter’s statement said her mother “didn’t want to use rope or chain but she was afraid her children were taking in too much sugar and caffeine.”
Life got more difficult after her mother’s parents died in 2016.
Her parents tried their best, “and they wanted to give us a good life,” she said. “They believed everything they did was to protect us.”
___
Associated Press writers Amanda Lee Myers and Michael R. Blood in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
Prosecutors say a Friday hearing should be closed to protect Weinstein’s right to a fair trial and for the privacy of women whose allegations against him are not part of the underlying criminal case.
NEW YORK (AP) — Both sides in Harvey Weinstein’s sexual assault case want the media and the public barred from the disgraced movie mogul’s next court appearance.
News organizations including Thee Associated Press are fighting to keep the hearing open plan to file a petition Monday with the court.
Prosecutors say a Friday hearing should be closed to protect Weinstein’s right to a fair trial and for the privacy of women whose allegations against him are not part of the underlying criminal case.
Prosecutors want the women to testify at Weinstein’s June 3 trial to show he has had a pattern of violating women. They also expect to discuss evidence that could be used against Weinstein if he testifies.
Weinstein denies all allegations of nonconsensual sex.
It was not until being on his own, in college, that he realized he was not where he needed to be academically. Tests revealed that he read on a third grade-level. His Dyslexia diagnosis proved to be the driving force behind his diligence. Today, he is a professor of medicine in the department of Hematology and Oncology. On this episode of “The Journey,” Dr. Wayne Frederick chats with Dr. James Taylor, Director of Howard University’s Center for Sickle Cell Disease.
Tonight’s guest giving us some insight about the key to finding happiness. What’s the bright side out of a bad situation? Our guest tonight, Chianti Lomax-Founder of The Happy Pop & Chief Happiness Curator and George Barnes-Pastor of Empowerment Temple AME in Baltimore, Maryland
Happy Friday! As you’re preparing for your holiday weekend, we want to celebrate the great things in life. Tonight, we want to ask you what’s a good about life? What’s good when you’re a bad situation? How to find the good in the bad? Our guest will enlighten us about the key to being positive.
-Its important to have a joy journal
-Try to find your happiness, when you’re stress out about finances
-Its important to teach your children about living a happy life.
Chianti Lomax-Founder of The Happy Pop & Chief Happiness Curator
GJ Barnes Pastor of Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore, Maryland-
A fourth case of measles has been discovered in Maryland. Health officials say Pikesville the place of the breakout. The areas where the four cases have been located are in three Maryland zip code regions.
Maryland health officials have confirmed a fourth case of measles in the state.
In the most recent case, health officials say anyone who visited 4000 Old Court Road in Pikesville Tuesday from 9:15 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. may have been exposed to measles. Officials say measles cases in Maryland have been found in zip code areas: 21208, 21209 and 21215.
National Postal Museum & Charles Sumner School Museum Archives will be hosting a day of celebration entitled “Make Me Wanna Holler.” This is the second stamp release, Marivn Gaye. This is a musical icon tribute series.
If you love Marvin Gaye, you’re going to enjoy this upcoming event. National Postal Museum and Charles Sumner School Museum & Archives will be hosting a day of celebration entitled“Make Me Wanna Holler.” There will be a celebration at both locations. Earlier this month, US Postal Services released a new stamp honoring the music icon. The stamps were created by the artist DC’s own Kandir Nelson. This free event will include fun interactive activities for children, discussions, musical performance and live DJ.
Sage Morgan-Hubbard, Public Programs Manager at the National Postal Museum and Ryan Taylor Visitor Services Assistant with National Postal Museum
Location: Charles Sumner School Museum and Archives
Time: 10:00am-3:00pm
sumnermuseumdc.org
1201 Seventeenth Street NW (near M)
Metered Street parking available on adjacent streets
Closet metro: Farragut, North, McPherson Square
Location: National Postal Museum
Time: 3:30 to 5:30pm
2 Massachusettes Ave. NE
website: postamuseum.si.edu
metered street parking available on adjacent streets
Four people were killed in a crash on Sheriff Road late Thursday night. Police believe speeding may have been the cause. The driver of the SUV that crashed reportedly tried to go around a car that was making a turn, lost control of the vehicle and struck a utility pole. All four inside the SUV were killed. rroundghve blichursdayrusteterifeo
Police are still investigating the factors that lead to crash that killed four last night in Capitol Heights. Prince George’s County police say an SUV was headed west on Sheriff Road last night around 10:30 p.m. when it tried to go around a vehicle making a left turn. Police say the driver of the SUV lost control and hit a curb. The car flipped several times then struck a utility pole. All four inside the car were pronounced dead at the scene. Two were ejected from the vehicle. Police believe speeding may be a factor in the crash. The victims were 35-year-old Samuel Moss of Capitol Heights; and Antonio Price, 27, Shyra Harris, 24, and Jasmine Davis, 21, all of District Heights. Harris and Davis were cousins. Reports are that the four were out to celebrate Davis’ 21st birthday.
Safe Dating for Teens, Prince George’s Campaign to Drive Focused, Recruiting in Fairfax County for fire fighters and EMS workers. Details on these events and more inside of this week’s Community’s Choice. To get your non-profit on the air and web, email me at rnash@whur.com at least three weeks prior to your event.
Help beautify your community. Sign up for the Growing Green With Pride in Prince George’s County May 4th.
DST Distinguished Men Cookin’
Get your taste buds ready and join the Washington, DC Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for its Annual Distinguished Men Cookin’ with the Deltas event May 4th at Trinity University. wdcacdst.org
Missing Person’s Day
Help find a missing loved one. Come out May 18th for Missing Person’s Day hosted by MPD’s Youth and Family Services Division at Temple of Praise Baptist Church in SE. mary.jones3@dc.gov
Housing Counseling
Are you facing foreclosure? Housing Counseling Services urges you to consider free foreclosure prevention and legal services by calling the DC Foreclosure Prevention Hotline. 202-265-2255.
Safe Dates
Teach your youth about healthy relationships. The Prince George’s County Department of Family Services offers a free program called Safe Dates for teens. 301-265-8423.
Drive Focused
Get serious about driving safely. Come out for the Drive Focused Sober and Safe Campaign kickoff April 27th at the Southern Regional Technology and Recreation Complex in Oxon Hill. 301-952-2848.
Golf Tournament
The 7th Annual Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament and Fundraiser is May 16th at the Oak Creek Golf Course. www.pgcoc.org
Fire and EMS Jobs
Are you interested in a career in FIRE and EMS? Fairfax County Fire and Rescue is recruiting. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/fire-ems
The Anacostia River Festival is taking place tomorrow from 1-5pm. Our very own EZ-Street will be your host.
City Winery Presents Tracy Hamlin on Saturday at 8pm and on Sunday CeCe Peniston comes to the stage for a 7:30 performance.
Tonight, The Dramatics featuring L.J. Reynolds are at the Birchmere Music Hall. Show time is 7:30pm
Latin Jazz Legend, Arturo Sandoval is at Blues Alley through Sunday for two shows each night, 8 & 10pm.
The Musical Fairy Tale, “Into The Woods” is playing at the Ford’s Theatre through May 22nd. Just go to www.fords.org for details.
The annual 2019 DC Beer Festival takes place on the field at Nationals Park, making for one of the District’s best outdoor parties of the year. Dozens of craft breweries will be spouting their seasonal suds, as local food trucks divvy out their tastiest eats. 12-8 p.m. |Tickets Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
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.
Earlier this morning The Atlantic Magazine broke the news that former Vice President Joe Biden will be entering the 2020 Presidential race.
Now we have received confirmation from the Associated Press that on Wednesday Biden will make his official public announcement. The public has been anticipating his decision on whether he would run or not. There was some concern after several women that he had worked with or came in contact with stated that he made them feel uncomfortable around him.
According to a poll from Morning Consulting that conducted 12,550 interviews with Democratic voters Biden leads the pack. 31% for Biden to 23% for Senator Bernie Sanders. The poll conducted from April 8 – 12. Kamala Harris had 9%, followed by Beto O’Rourke with 8% and Pete Buttigieg with 7%.
In an Emerson poll, Biden outscored President Trump 53% to 47%. This poll was conducted from April 11 – 14 with a margin of error plus or minus 5%.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963
Missouri teacher arrested for hiring a hit man to kill a 7 year old student
Posted by
Posted on
It is a bizarre story. A Clayton, Missouri school teacher who has HIV has been charged with removing a student from class and then molesting that child. Fast forward, three years later that teacher is now under arrest for allegedly hiring someone to kill that student.
Police say 36-year-old Deonte Taylor and his boyfriend and accomplice 66-year-old Michael Johnson both appeared in court this week and plead not guilty to the charges.
Investigators say Taylor who was a teacher at Lusher Elementary in 2015 removed a 7-year-old from class and molested that child. He was never charged but left the school and got another job at another school where he began teaching 5th graders. He was arrested a short time later after police matched his DNA with that found on the 7th grader.
While in jail awaiting his day in court that’s when police say that Taylor and Johnson tried to hire someone to not only the former student but his family as well. Police did not say how they found out that he had put a hit out on a child he was accused of molesting.
Taylor is facing a number of charges including felony sodomy and conspiracy to commit murder and witness tampering. His victim is now 10-years-old.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963
Montgomery County Maryland’s Councilmember Will Jawando speaks with our listeners about what’s happening Montgomery County and the Law Enforcement Trust and Transparency Act.
This year Montgomery County residents voted for their second Black African American councilmember. Tonight, we speak with one of the new voices in the county. He will share his first bill, its called the Law Enforcement Trust and Transparency Act. The councilmember will share how he plans to work closely with the community.
-In 2018, 55 percent of African Americans were arrested by Montgomery County Police.
-Approaching economic development in a particular way, all counties should work together
In Studio: Will Jawando-Councilmeber with Montgomery County, Maryland
The State of Maryland will have a new Speaker of the House. Governor Larry Hogan wants lawmakers to fill the position left by the death of Speaker Michael Busch as soon as possible. The governor has asked state lawmakers to return to Annapolis on May 1st in order to elect a new House leader. Prince George’s county delegate Dereck Davis is one of the contenders for the post.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan is calling state lawmakers back to Annapolis on May 1st to elect a new House speaker. Hogan signed an executive order today calling for a special session so the House of Delegates can elect a successor to the late Speaker Michael Busch. Three people are officially vying to succeed Busch. They include Delegate Dereck Davis of Prince George’s County, Delegate Maggie McIntosh and Delegate Adrienne Jones of Baltimore County.
A redacted version of the Mueller Report was released on Thursday. The 448 report does not concluded that President Trump committed crimes, but does not exonerate him. The President claimed vindication today. Democratic members of Congress are calling for Special Counsel Robert Mueller to testify before Congress. They also say that the report shows that the president acted with criminal intent.
The Mueller Report was released today–vindication for the president or criminal-like conduct? The report investigated whether the Trump presidential campaign conspired with Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign. Beyond the issue of Russia, the 448- page report looked into whether President Trump tried to obstruct Mueller’s investigation. Attorney General William Barr held a press conference two hours before the release of the report. Barr said there was not enough evidence to find the president obstructed justice. Jerry Nadler, Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, was not happy with what he called misleading comments by the Attorney General. Nadler repeated a call for Mueller to testify before his committee and Congress’ need for an unredacted version of the Special Counsel’s report. Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee says the Mueller report does not vindicate President Trump. On the flip side, Senator majority leader Mitch McConnell said President Trump had a right to claim victory today. The Mueller report says the question of whether Mr. Trump obstructed justice could not be conclusively determined or ruled out.
According to a study from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, DC has the most intense gentrification in the country. With the development of new condominiums and restaurants, native residents are being pushed out of their communities.
According to a study from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, DC has the most intense gentrification in the country. With the development of new condominiums and restaurants, native residents are being pushed out of their communities.
Gentrification is the direct effect of the shift in demographic culture due to the rise in neighborhood economic values. Therefore, the hike in home prices, education levels and neighborhood incomes greatly increase.
According to the study, the District of Columbia has seen a great number of black displacement.
Mayor Muriel Bowser has proposed a few initiatives to ensure that District residents can stay in the area. The $20 million workforce housing fund which makes sure teachers, social workers, first responders and low- to middle income workers housing stability. Also, Bowser’s Housing Production Trust fund helps preserve affordable housing, from $100 million to $130 million.
Although the city is taking some initiative, many residents believe more can be done. What are your thoughts on gentrification as a whole?
“It is concerning that three cases of measles have been identified in Maryland in such a short period of time,” Deputy Secretary for Public Health Frances B. Phillips said in a news release. “The measles virus can spread very easily between unvaccinated people, and there have been large outbreaks in several other areas of the country. Vaccination is the best way to stop additional infections. We are asking that Marylanders ensure they and their families are up-to-date on vaccinations against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.”
According to Bossip, Wendy Williams‘ estranged husband Kevin Hunter is moving “to the left, to the left” but not without $10 million dollars.
In regards to the rumors of Hunter being fired as a executive producer on The Wendy Williams show, a source told Bossip that the decision to step down was mutual. His dismissal resulted in some big bucks, in the eight figures range.
Hunter has been Williams’ manager and EP for 10 years since the show’s debut. He recently apologized to the daytime talk show host for his wrongdoing, but to wasn’t enough to keep him in the circle.
Flint is getting $77.7 million in loan assistance that it was promised in 2017 for infrastructure improvements as it deals with the aftermath of its crisis with lead-tainted water .
FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Flint is getting $77.7 million in loan assistance that it was promised in 2017 for infrastructure improvements as it deals with the aftermath of its crisis with lead-tainted water .
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality says it’s providing nearly $140 million in loans to fund water and sewer projects in three cities, including Flint. The state says the money will help complete a water pipeline, make reservoir and pump station improvements, and fund other work.
Flint’s Director of Public Works Rob Bincsik told The Flint Journal this week that the city is “grateful for this funding,” but notes it’s not new.
Simply put, Beyoncé changed Coachella — forever — and performing after her is like trying to out-ace Serena Williams or dunk better than Michael Jordan: You won’t win.
Beyoncé is extremely private, and only lets you know what she wants you to know, when she wants you to know it — typically, in a surprise post be it on her website or Instagram.
But throughout the years, she’s slightly cracked open her door to reveal parts of her life and personality — apart from what she gives through strong singing and extraordinary dance moves — to help remind us that though she is epic and flawless, she is still mortal.
“HOMECOMING: A film by Beyoncé,” which premiered Wednesday on Netflix, captures the human side of the superstar singer with behind-the-scenes, intimate moments of a mother, wife and artist tirelessly working on what’s already become one of most iconic musical performances of all-time: Beyoncé’s headlining show at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
The performance marked the first time a black woman headlined the famed festival and made Beyoncé just the third woman to score the gig, behind Bjork and Lady Gaga. Beyoncé took on the role seriously — as she does all live performances — giving the audience a rousing, terrific and new show highlighted by a full marching band, majorette dancers, steppers and more that is the norm at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
The film takes it a step further to showcase what was happening to get to the historic moment: you see a mother bouncing back from giving birth to twins via an emergency C-section; an African American woman embracing her family’s history and paying tribute to black college culture and honoring black art; and the world’s No. 1 pop star defying the odds yet again and pushing herself to new heights, creating an even wider space between herself and whoever is No. 2.
Simply put, Beyoncé changed Coachella — forever — and performing after her is like trying to out-ace Serena Williams or dunk better than Michael Jordan: You won’t win.
Woven into the film are audio soundbites from popular figures to help narrate the story: Nina Simone speaks about blackness, Maya Angelou talks about truth, and Tessa Thompson and Danai Gurira explain the importance of seeing people who look like you on large screens.
Beyoncé speaks, too, saying that she dreamed of attending an HBCU, though she explains: “My college was Destiny’s Child.”
She also says the importance of her Coachella performance was to bring “our culture to Coachella” and highlight “everyone that had never seen themselves represented.”
So many people were represented during those performances last April — her stage was packed with about 200 performers, from dancers to singers to band and orchestra players. Beyoncé kicked of the performance dressed like an African queen, walking up the stage as the jazzy, soulful big band sound of New Orleans is played. After letting her dancers and backing band shine, she emerges again, this time dressed down — like a studious, eager, hopeful college student.
The musical direction and song selection flows effortlessly and was purposely crafted to tell a story: the first song is 2003′s “Crazy In Love,” a massively successful No. 1 hit and her first apart from Destiny’s Child. It also was Beyoncé’s first of many collaborations with Jay-Z. But then comes “Freedom,” representing the Beyoncé of today, unconcerned with having a radio or streaming hit, but more focused on the art, and the message.
And her message was loud and clear on “HOMECOMING”: Her performance is a homage to the culturally rich homecoming events held annually at HBCUs, but also showcases Beyoncé’s own homecoming — her return to her roots, and how she’s found a new voice by reinterpreting her music through the lens of black history.
Young, gifted and black, indeed.
“HOMECOMING: A film by Beyoncé,” a Netflix release, is rated TV-MA. Running time: 137 minutes. Four stars out of four.
Road crew works shot and killed by unknown suspect on the job…
Posted by
Posted on
Metropolitan Police and Prince George’s County Police are looking for the gunman who shot and killed a road crew member on the job.
Around 4:30 on Wednesday police were called to the 5100 block of Southern Avenue in Southeast following reports of a shooting.
Upon arrival they found a man with a gunshot wound. The victim was working with a road crew in the area along Southern Avenue when the incident happened. He was rushed to a near by hospital were he later died. His identity has not been released.
Witnesses say the victim and suspect got into some type of dispute before he construction worker was shot. The gunman fled on foot after the shooting into Maryland. Anyone with information in this case should call police.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963
We are heading East of the River this morning to preview a big festival taking place this weekend. It’s the Anacostia River Festival and it’s hosted by the 11thStreet Bridge Park and National Park Service. Plus WHUR will be on hand for the fun. My guest is Irfana Jetha Noorani – Coordinator for the Annual Aancostia River Festival
Anacostia River Festival Saturday, April 20th from 1pm to 5pm. The festival will include a bike parade, lawn games, arts & crafts, relay races, nature play, fishing workshops, boating and much more. It’s fun for the entire family. 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.
Oregon White Supremacist given life for running over black teen
Posted by
Posted on
An Oregon man with ties to a white supremacist gang in the state has been sentence to life in prison for the vicious murder of a black teen.
40-year-old Russell Courtier was convicted last month of using his jeep to run over 19-year-old Larnell Bruce Jr after the two got into a fist fight outside of a convenience store in 2016. It happened in a suburbs of Portland in an area called Gresham.
Prosecutors showed Courtier killed Bruce because he was black. Courtier was convicted of murder and felony hit and run. He will not be eligible for parole for 28 years.
The victim’s father Larnell Bruce Sr. said the decision by the jury has restored his faith in society. He added that he hoped that Courtier will spend his time behind bars thinking about if he wants his son who is 8-years-old living in a world with white supremacy. “That ideology that you have is not good for anybody,” Bruce, Sr. said. It took jurors 8 days to render their decision.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963
Barr holds news conference before releasing Mueller report to Congress
Posted by
Posted on
It’s not sitting well with many Democratic lawmakers but United States Attorney General William Barr has called a 9:30 news conference today. It’s about the forthcoming redacted Mueller report that will be released later today. The news has Democratic fuming. The reason Congress will not receive the nearly 400 page redacted report until lunchtime but Barr’s talking about it before it goes public.
The highly anticipated redacted report comes two years after the probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 Presidential election began. Some Democrats feel Barr is trying to protect or spin the narrative of the report before its seen by the masses.
Reportedly Barr will explain the findings of the lengthy report and he will also discuss what executive privilege means. In addition to that, he will also reveal his offices’ interactions with the White House during and after the report as well as outline the redactive process. Barr will take questions afterward. The report will go to a select number of Congressional leaders and staffers around lunchtime today. There are reports that the White House has drafted a counter report.
The Mueller report reveals what investigators found regarding possible Russian ties to the Trump campaign. It also will outline the special counsel’s final conclusion on Trump’s firing of FBI Director James Comey and the Trump administrations efforts to stop the Russian probe. There’s not expected to be any bombshells. Sources say there could be some unflattering things revealed about the Commander and Chief, family, and associates.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963
Tonight’s guest Dekada Brown with Walk In Our Shoes One Day and Tiffany Phoenix with Howard University Speech and Hearing Clinic gave some great resources for parents who are need.
Did you know 1 of 59 children is diagnosed with autism? April is Autism Awareness Month; many parents have their challenges raising a child with this spectrum. If you noticed the signs of autism, this segment is for you.
-Autism is a spectrum disorder (children can high seizures)
-Parents are becoming more vocal about the issue (bringing
-Family support is so important to the parent and child
Audio:
Guest: Dekeda Brown-Advocate for Autism & Founder of Walk One Day In Our Shoes
Guest:Tiffany Phoenix- Clinical Director with Howard University Speech & Hearing Clinic
A Fairfax County music teacher is facing charges for allegedly sexually abusing two former students. Jeffrey Cummins was arrested at Dulles International Airport Tuesday after returning to the U.S. from a trip abroad. Police say an investigation began in May 2018 when a juvenile boy claimed Cummins abused him over several years. In January, another victim came forward saying he had also been abused. The alleged abuses took place in Cummins’ Annandale home where he gave private music lessons. Cummins appeared in court today and was released from custody.
Montgomery police are in search of the person or persons responsible for the shooting death of Germantown teenager. Police say Tray Dawkins was standing with a group of three others in a parking lot off Curry Powder Lane in Germantown a little after 9 o’clock last night when a suspect or suspects began shooting at them. Dawkins was killed and two others suffered non-life threatening gunshot wounds. Police don’t believe the shooting was random.
A woman is dead following a fire at a gas station pump in Northeast DC. DC Fire officials say firefighters arrived at the gas station on 21st Street and Benning Road around 5:30 this morning to find the woman with fatal injuries and the gas pump still on fire. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire. Investigators are working to determine what sparked the blaze.
Beyonce, debuted her documentary, “Homecoming: A Film By Beyonce” on Netflix at midnight. She also released an entire live album from the Netflix special.
The 2-hour Netflix documentary was about Beyonce’s 2018 Coachella performance and the behind the scenes of her journey to the Coachella stage. We follow Queen Bey through all her trials and triumphs during the show. It features footage from rehearsals and backstage moments. Netflix quoted by saying “the emotional road from creative concept to cultural movement.”
Beyonce also surprised her fans with a cover of the 1981 song, “Before I Let Go” by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, which appeared during the end credits of her documentary. As well as a bonus track “ I Been On.” All the live songs can be found on most major streaming platforms like Tidal, Apple Music, Spotify, and Google Play.
Since the announcement of the documentary, stans have been anxiously awaiting the Queen Bey hard at work preparing to pull off one of the most epic performances to hit the Coachella stage. Since its release, #BeyonceHomecoming has been trending on all platforms, along with #Beychella, #HBCU, #BeyHive, and many more hashtags.
Howard University students were given an early screening of the documentary with a line wrapped around the yard to catch a peek. Beyonce was seen wearing a Howard sweatshirt in the film which had many Howard students roaring with excitement. It was definitely a moment of #BlackExcellence.You HAD to be there!
“Homecoming: A Film By Beyonce”, is available on Netflix. You can also listen to the live album on all major music streaming services.
Our guest Marissa McKeever with Director of Government and Community Affairs for Sibley Memorial Hospital with Johns Hopkins Medicine speaks with our listeners about health disparities in DC Ward 7 and 8. Sibley Memorial Hospital has a solution for this issue.
When it comes to the state of health in the US, it’s no secret that African Americans suffer disproportionately from many ailments that are quite frankly costing us our lives. Cancer, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and the list goes on. But why do these health disparities exist and what is being done about them. April is National Minority Health Month and my guest tonight has been on a quest to address these complex health challenges, especially East of the River in the District.
Daily Drum Audio:
Guest: Director of Government and Community Affairs for Sibley Memorial Hospital with Johns Hopkins Medicine.
After years of collaborating with one other, Mary J Blige and Nas will be touring together this summer for the first time ever. The Grammy award-winning artist and rap legend are headed on a 22-city tour across the US.
Blige hasn’t had a tour since her last album, Strength of a Woman, which was released in 2017. She co-headlined tours with many other artists such as Maxwell, Beyonce, and Jay-Z. Nas has been touring since last year and has multiple concerts this summer before the tour. He also collaborated with Snoop Dogg and Cardi B. The tour is scheduled to kick-off in West Palm Beach, FL.
Nas made his debut in 1994 with his album Illmatic, which is now a classic and he was ranked one of the top emcees and lyricists of all time. Blige’s debut was her album What’s the 411?. Since then she won a Grammy Award 9 times and has classic hits like “Be Without You”, “Just Fine”, and “Take Me As I Am”
The pair have worked together on multiple songs, including Blige’s songs, “Love Is All We Need”, “Sincerity”, and “Feel Inside”, plus Nas’ songs, “Reach Out” and “Braveheart Party”. The two have been working together for as long as we can remember. This tour is going to bring back much nostalgia from the late 90s and early 2000s.
Tickets are set to go on sale starting Friday, April 19th. Get the latest on Live Nation’s website here.
Dozens of Dr’s charged with illegally prescribing Opioids
Posted by
Posted on
Federal prosecutors have charged dozen of doctor’s in 5 states with illegally prescribing pain pills. In some cases, the medical professional was exchanging the pills for sex. Officials say more than 32 million pills were given out.
A total of 60 people have been indicted. Those arrested and charged include 31 doctors, 7 pharmacist, and 8 nurse practitioners and a few other medical professionals. Those arrested were either in West Virginia, Alabama, Ohio, Tennessee or Kentucky. The federal indictments came down earlier this morning from officials in Cincinnati.
The charges range from illegal distribution of a controlled substance to health care fraud. Each of the offenses carries a penalty of 20 years maximum in prison. One of the accused, doctor is actually linked to the Opioid death of a patient.
The Justice Department says this is apart of a national effort to confront the nations growing deadly epidemic of Opioid overdoses. In 2017, in the United States alone over 47 thousand people died due to an Opioid overdose.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963
A woman is robbed after getting into what she thought was her ride share car
Posted by
Posted on
Montgomery County Police have released surveillance video showing a suspect they say pretended to be a ride share driver who later robbed his female passenger.
Investigator’s say this criminal was so bold that after taking the female to her home in Bethesda, he forced his way in and took her wallet, money and a few items in the home before leaving.
The incident happened on March 30th at 4 in the morning. Police say this story could have turned out very different. Again officials and ride share company’s say it is vital if you use ride share to take your time before getting into a vehicle and make sure the driver knows your name, your destination and that the make and model matches what you were given.
In this case, the victim who was leaving from a night out with friends on “U” Street thought she was getting into the vehicle she ordered. The victim said the driver said his GPS was not working right and he asked for her address.
On the surveillance video from her apartment, you can see the driver approach her as she gets to the outside door of her apartment. The victim says that’s when he asked her to pay him in person and she refused saying she did so through the app. Minutes later you see him in the elevator with her and him grabbing her purse and her struggling with him before the elevator doors closed. What is not shown is him following her to her apartment and forcing himself in and robbing her. Anyone with information, in this case, should call the police.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963
One person is dead in quadruple shooting in Germantown
Posted by
Posted on
A quadruple shooting last night in Germantown leaves one person dead. Three others were injured, including a male teen. None of the victims have been identified.
Officers say they were shot in the parking lot of a townhome complex in the 18700 block of Curry Powder Lane just after 9 p.m. It’s believed they were injured by a shotgun. No arrests have been made. The crime is believed to be gang-related.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963
“I have dedicated most of our lives to the business empire that is Wendy Williams Hunter, a person that I truly love and respect unconditionally. I am not proud of my recent actions and take full accountability and apologize to my wife, my family and her amazing fans.”
Wendy Williams’ soon to be ex-husband, Kevin Hunter, is breaking his silence about their recently announced divorce. Hunter expressed how he is not necessarily proud of his actions and publicly apologizes to Wendy.
“28 years ago I met an amazing woman: Wendy Williams. At the time, I didn’t realize that she would not only become my wife, but would also change the face of entertainment and the world,” Hunter said in a statement. “I have dedicated most of our lives to the business empire that is Wendy Williams Hunter, a person that I truly love and respect unconditionally. I am not proud of my recent actions and take full accountability and apologize to my wife, my family and her amazing fans.”
The couple has faced an abundance of turmoil this year as their dirty laundry has been spilled in front of the entire world. Last week Williams filed for divorce after 22 years of marriage. The real curveball in their relationship happened after Hunter’s alleged mistress, Sharina Hudson, gave birth to a baby girl.
“I am going through a time of self-reflection and am trying to right some wrongs. No matter what the outcome is or what the future holds, we are still The Hunter Family and I will continue to work with and fully support my wife in this business and through any and all obstacles she may face living her new life of sobriety, while I also work on mine. I ask that you please give me and my family privacy as we heal. Thank you,” Hunter continued.
Williams has been going through a tough time throughout all this drama. She recently announced that she is recovering from a drug addiction and lives in a sober house. On the April 15, episode on The Wendy Williams Show she gave an update on her life to her fans.
Williams and Hunter share an 18-year-old son together, Kevin Hunter Jr. Amongst their many business ventures, the couple launched The Hunter Foundation to help individuals who are struggling with addiction.
“When we were thinking about who would be the right choice to open this legendary venue, we knew it had to be a world-famous New York City icon,” Brooklyn Sports Entertainment Global CEO Brett Yormark said in a statement. “No one fits that description better than Jay-Z, who will join an unparalleled list of celebrated performers who have played Webster Hall.”
Jay-Z is set to be the first opening act at the iconic Webster Hall in New York City. The music venue has been under extensive renovation since 2017 but will finally open its doors on Friday, April 26 for this special event.
Entitled “The B-Sides 2,” Jay-Z will perform tracks that are rarely showcased from his discography. Back in 2015, he did his first “B-Sides” concert in New York’s Terminal 5 for exclusive TIDAL users.
“When we were thinking about who would be the right choice to open this legendary venue, we knew it had to be a world-famous New York City icon,” Brooklyn Sports Entertainment Global CEO Brett Yormark said in a statement. “No one fits that description better than Jay-Z, who will join an unparalleled list of celebrated performers who have played Webster Hall.”
Presale tickets will be made available for American Express Card members beginning Thursday, April 18 at 10 AM. The general public will be able to purchase tickets on Friday, April 19 at 11AM on Ticketmaster.
Webster Hall has also announced upcoming events after its opening date. Vampire Weekend will have their album release show with pizza and bagels. Patti Smith, Built to Spill and Sharon Van Etten are also expected to perform.
Webstar Hall is known for their iconic performs since the 1980s with performers from The Beastie Boys, Tina Turner, Aerosmith, Prince and many more.
A woman is found dead at the scene of a gas station pump fire
Posted by
Posted on
Metropolitan and DC Fire investigators are looking into the bizarre death of a woman found this morning in Northeast. First responders were called to the Mobile gas station at 21st Street and Benning Road this morning just after 5:30. Once there they noticed a fire at a pump and they quickly put it out.
Firefighters say the body of an adult female woman was found near the gas station pump. Interestingly enough there was no car present at the pump that caught on fire. The cause is still under investigation. There’s no word if there were any witnesses.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963
Educators get your resumes ready. The 12thAnnual Job Fair for Educators, hosted by the Howard University School of Education, is tomorrow. My guest is Dr. Wilma Bonner – Director of Teacher Education for Howard University
12thAnnual Howard University School of Education Job Fair for Educators is Thursday, April 18thfrom 12pm to 4pm at Banneker Academic High School in NW, DC. For more information call: 202-865-0117
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.
A white South Carolina man who tried to hire a Ku Klux Klan member to kill a black neighbor has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. 26-year-old Brandon Lecroy was upset that his black neighbor kept coming on to his property asking for food and to use his phone.
Lawyers for Lecroy said his actions were not racially motivated and that he, quote, “called the KKK because who else was he going to call?” But prosecutors produced recordings where Lecroy used racist language and suggested to an undercover agent posing as the KKK hit-man that he could use a flaming cross.
Today we talked to 13-year old Miguel Coppedge, a bestselling author of 3 books and a honors student who by age of 10 published two books and became a filmmaker, speaker, philanthropist, an app developer, and recognized as an Everyday Young Hero by Youth Service America for being a leader and empowering youth to make positive changes in the world. His motto is, “You’re never too young to do anything.” In addition, to these accomplishments Miguel has recently won a $10,000 scholarship and is waiting a decision from 13 other national scholarship funds. His mother, Yolanda Coppedge, has taken the initiative and pushed her son to go after his dreams understanding that he can do whatever he wants to do. She advises parents to do all that they can to support their children and take the time to find out what they are interested in.
amily Services offers a free program called Safe Dates for teens. 301-265-8423.
Earlier this morning The Atlantic Magazine broke the news that former Vice President Joe Biden will be entering the 2020 Presidential race.
