The D.C. metro is one of the many battlegrounds in the war against opioid addiction. We need you in the fight for a healthier community. You can hear WHUR’s special town hall edition of The Daily Drum, Opioids… The Enemy Within. It was broadcast from The First Baptist Church of Highland Park in Landover, Maryland. We put tough questions to the experts and heard from a concerned public.
(Washington, DC) — The National Park Service will start repairing potholes on Baltimore-Washington Parkway today. The repairs come ahead of a larger repaving project that will start in mid-April rather than in the fall. The potholes got so bad recently, the Park Service reduced the speed limit on the parkway. Officials are hoping that the repairs will improve driving conditions until the repaving projects begin in a few weeks.
Suspect Pleads Guilty To Charlottesville School Threats
(Charlottesville, VA) — A teenager is admitting guilt in making threats that shut down Charlottesville schools for two days. He was arrested a week ago for threatening a school and harassment by computer. Investigators say he threatened an ethnic cleansing in an online forum. The student pleaded guilty on Wednesday and will be sentenced April 24th.
Flight Diverted To Dulles Due To Fuel Odor
(Washington, DC) — Seven passengers on a United Airlines flight from Baltimore are being hospitalized after an unscheduled landing at Dulles Airport in DC. The Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority says a fuel odor was reported in the cabin of the plane after it left Baltimore-Washington Airport around 7:00 a.m. The San Francisco-bound flight was diverted to Dulles and was met by fire and rescue crews. No other information has been released at this time.
In the News @10
DC is set to give out naloxone to help with Opioid crisis…
A S.C. 5th grader killed following in school fight…
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DC is set to give out naloxone to help with Opioid crisis…
DC City officials have announced that they will be giving out 76,000 life-saving naloxone kits for Opioid overdoses. Leaders plan to buy another 10,000 kits in the coming months. The kits will be given out by police and health organizations by September 30.
It’s a big move to combat the Opioid overdose epidemic that has hit our community and other places all across the country. In 2018 DC recorded more deaths due to Opioid overdoses than homicides.
A S.C. 5th grader killed following in school fight…
It’s a parent’s worst nightmare. You send your child to school only to learn that they have been involved in a fight. Then you learn your child has died as a result. That’s the story for one family from Colleton County in South Carolina. Colleton County is just outside of Charleston.
On Monday 10-year-old RaNiya Wright got into a classroom fight at Forest Hills Elementary school with another 5th grader. Wright had to be airlifted to an area hospital. She was later pronounced dead at the hospital. An autopsy will be conducted. The other student has been suspended and it’s unclear if charges will be filed. Grief counselors were made available to students.
A GoFundme account has been set up for the family to help cover medical and funeral expenses. At last check, it had raised more than $30,000.
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A letter from the city’s legal department sent Thursday to Smollett and his attorneys said the figure covers overtime worked by more than two dozen detectives and officers who spent weeks looking into Smollett’s claim. The work included reviewing video and physical evidence and conducting interviews.
CHICAGO (AP) — City officials have ordered Jussie Smollett to pay $130,000 to cover the cost of the investigation into his report of a street attack that Chicago police say was staged to promote his career.
A letter from the city’s legal department sent Thursday to Smollett and his attorneys said the figure covers overtime worked by more than two dozen detectives and officers who spent weeks looking into Smollett’s claim. The work included reviewing video and physical evidence and conducting interviews.
Those resources, the letter said, “could have been used for other investigations.”
Hours earlier, President Donald Trump tweeted that the FBI and the Department of Justice would review the “outrageous” case, calling it an “embarrassment” to the country.
Prosecutors infuriated Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago’s police chief this week when they abruptly dropped 16 felony counts that accused Smollett of making a false police report about being the target of a racist, anti-gay attack in January.
Smollett has maintained his innocence and insisted that the attack was real.
The prosecution sealed the case, but authorities still say the actor concocted the assault. Prosecutors offered no additional information Thursday during a court hearing where media attorneys argued that the public has a right to know what happened.
Trump tweeted: “FBI & DOJ to review the outrageous Jussie Smollett case in Chicago. It is an embarrassment to our Nation!”
The Justice Department sometimes brings federal cases after state prosecutors have declined to file charges, including after police shootings that the federal government believes might constitute civil rights violations. But department policy generally restricts prosecutors from bringing federal charges after state charges have been resolved, unless they can establish that the potential crime at issue is a federal one and involves “a substantial federal interest.”
If Smollett fails to pay, officials could charge him with violating a city ordinance and seek fines, damages and court costs, the letter said.
A spokeswoman for Smollett attorney Patricia Brown Holmes declined to comment on the letter.
In the past, city officials have sought restitution from other people who made false reports and from businesses that pursued city contracts by seeking disadvantaged business status, said a spokesman for the legal department, Bill McCaffrey.
Investigators believe Smollett, who is black and gay, hired two brothers to stage the Jan. 29 attack in downtown Chicago and that Smollett hoped the attention would help advance his career. Police also allege that before the attack, Smollett sent a letter threatening himself to the Chicago television studio where “Empire” is shot.
The FBI, which is investigating that letter, has declined to comment.
Smollett attorney Tina Glandian said the two brothers are lying. She said Smollett had hired one brother as a personal trainer but had no idea who attacked him along a Chicago street until the brothers were later identified by police.
Smollett has repeatedly said the two masked men shouted slurs, wrapped a rope around his neck and poured a substance on him. He also told detectives that the attackers yelled that he was in “MAGA country,” an apparent reference to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan, police said.
Prosecutors initially charged Smollett with one felony count in February. A grand jury indicted him on 15 more counts earlier this month. But in a stunning reversal Tuesday, prosecutors abruptly dropped all charges, just five weeks after the allegations were filed.
In return, prosecutors said, the actor agreed to let the city keep his $10,000 in bail.
During Thursday’s court hearing, prosecutors promised to notify media outlets if Smollett’s lawyers tried to expunge his record. But lawyers for major news organizations, including The Associated Press, told the judge that the case has not been transparent.
“The public is entitled to know what happened and what’s happening in this proceeding,” media attorney Natalie Spears argued.
Judge LeRoy Martin said court proceedings had followed the law and that there was “no nefariousness.”
In an interview with Chicago television station WGN, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx said Wednesday that the law allows Smollett to have his police records sealed, but that the court files “should never have been sealed.” She said she believes it was done in error but “that should not have happened.”
If the case had gone to trial, Foxx said, Smollett never would have received a prison term because the 16 charges were the lowest possible form of felony. And if he pleaded guilty, it would have been to one count, not 16.
“For all of the noise and all of the media attention, it’s a step up from a misdemeanor,” Foxx said. Most comparable cases are resolved with probation or an agreement such as Smollett’s if the defendants “don’t’ have a long rap sheet or a violence in their background.”
Foxx recused herself before Smollett was charged because she had discussed the case with a Smollett family member. The case was then handed to First Assistant State’s Attorney Joseph Magats.
On Wednesday, the ex-chief of staff for former first lady Michelle Obama said she approached Foxx regarding the case on behalf of the actor’s family. Tina Tchen released a statement saying she’s a friend of Smollett’s family and knows Foxx “from prior work together.”
Tchen said her “sole activity” was to put the prosecutor in touch with “an alleged victim’s family.” Tchen said the Smollett family “had concerns about how the investigation was being characterized in public.”
Email and text messages that Foxx’s office provided to the Chicago Sun-Times show Tchen contacted Foxx to set up a telephone conversation with the Smollett relative. Foxx told the Sun-Times the relative expressed concerns over leaked information.
Foxx told the Chicago Tribune that she regretted dealing with the relative in the investigation’s early phases.
In March, Usher celebrated the 15-year release date of Confessions. That album sold over eight million copies in 2004 and became the second-best selling album of the 2000’s. It went on to sell over 20 million copies worldwide. Usher won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album.
Usher is teasing his fans with hints of a Confession 2 album. It’s been over a decade since the release of Confessions and fans are ready to hear the next part two the-all time classic series.
In March, Usher celebrated the 15-year release date of Confessions. That album sold over eight million copies in 2004 and became the second-best selling album of the 2000’s.It went on to sell over 20 million copies worldwide. Usher won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album.
Usher hinted to the news via an Instagram post. Tuesday, he uploaded a picture with the caption “Dis what y’all want…” with him sitting next to a white board with the word “Confessions 2”.
Usher teamed up with super producer Jermaine Dupri and the record label So So Def. Usher previously posted footage of himself in the studio with Jermaine Dupri, who produced the original Confessions album. Dupri also went on Instagram Live and previewed a new song called “Believe.”
We cannot wait to hear what Usher is working on. Stay tuned fam!
“I am introducing six of my favorite comedians – in my eyes, they are super stars. The epitome of ‘They Ready,’” said Haddish, as she uses her catchphrase “She ready” and takes it to the next level with her upcoming shows. She’s using her platform to promote diversity within the industry.
Tiffany Haddish is set to have her own Netflix series. The Last OG actress is collaborating with the streaming service on a six-part series called Tiffany Haddish Presents: They Ready.
“I am introducing six of my favorite comedians – in my eyes, they are super stars. The epitome of ‘They Ready,’” said Haddish, as she uses her catchphrase “She ready” and takes it to the next level with her upcoming shows. She’s using her platform to promote diversity within the industry.
The comedians will include Chaunte Wayans, April Macie, Tracey Ashley, Aida Rodriguez, Flame Monroe, and Marlo Williams. Haddish has had the opportunity to work with all these women, however she feels like the industry excludes many women, people of color, and LGBTQ comedians.
Haddish will be producing the series through her company She Ready Productions with the help of fellow comedian Wanda Sykes and her company Push It Productions.
“Here’s a disease that in the past was a death sentence and now has been so well controlled that it offers people with that disease an opportunity to save somebody else,” said Dr. Dorry Segev, a Hopkins surgeon who pushed for the HIV Organ Policy Equity, or HOPE, Act that lifted a 25-year U.S. ban on transplants between people with HIV.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Surgeons in Baltimore have performed what’s thought to be the world’s first kidney transplant from a living donor with HIV, a milestone for patients with the AIDS virus who need a new organ — and one that could free up space on the transplant waiting list for everyone.
Nina Martinez of Atlanta traveled to Johns Hopkins University to donate a kidney to an HIV-positive stranger, saying she “wanted to make a difference in somebody else’s life” and counter the stigma that too often still surrounds HIV infection.
Many people think “somebody with HIV is supposed to look sick,” Martinez, 35, told The Associated Press before Monday’s operation. “It’s a powerful statement to show somebody like myself who’s healthy enough to be a living organ donor.”
Hopkins, which is making the transplant public on Thursday, said both Martinez and the recipient of her kidney, who chose to remain anonymous, are recovering well.
“Here’s a disease that in the past was a death sentence and now has been so well controlled that it offers people with that disease an opportunity to save somebody else,” said Dr. Dorry Segev, a Hopkins surgeon who pushed for the HIV Organ Policy Equity, or HOPE, Act that lifted a 25-year U.S. ban on transplants between people with HIV.
There’s no count of how many HIV-positive patients are among the 113,000 people on the nation’s waiting list for an organ transplant. HIV-positive patients can receive transplants from HIV-negative donors just like anyone else.
Only in the last few years, spurred by some pioneering operations in South Africa, have doctors begun transplanting organs from deceased donors with HIV into patients who also have the virus, organs that once would have been thrown away.
Since 2016, 116 such kidney and liver transplants have been performed in the U.S. as part of a research study, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing, or UNOS, which oversees the transplant system. One question is whether receiving an organ from someone with a different strain of HIV than their own poses any risks, but so far there have been no safety problems, said UNOS chief medical officer Dr. David Klassen.
Hopkins’ Segev said Monday’s kidney transplant was a world first. Doctors had hesitated to allow people still living with HIV to donate because of concern that their remaining kidney would be at risk of damage from the virus or older medications used to treat it.
But newer anti-HIV medications are safer and more effective, Segev said. His team recently studied the kidney health of 40,000 HIV-positive people and concluded that those with well-controlled HIV and no other kidney-harming ailments like high blood pressure should face the same risks from living donation as someone without HIV.
“There are potentially tens of thousands of people living with HIV right now who could be living kidney donors,” said Segev, who has advised some other hospitals considering the approach.
Generally, kidneys from living donors last longer, added Dr. Niraj Desai, the Hopkins surgeon caring for the recipient. And if more people living with HIV wind up donating, it helps more than HIV-positive patients who need a kidney.
“That’s one less person waiting for a limited resource,” Desai said. “That helps everybody on the list.”
Martinez, a public health consultant, became interested in living donation even before HIV-to-HIV transplants began. Then last summer she learned that an HIV-positive friend needed a transplant, and tracked down Segev to ask if she could donate.
Her friend died before Martinez finished the required health tests but she decided to honor him by donating to someone she didn’t know.
A runner who plans on making this fall’s Marine Corps Marathon, “I knew I was probably just as healthy as someone not living with HIV who was being evaluated as a kidney donor,” Martinez said. “I’ve never been surer of anything.”
CHICAGO (AP) — President Donald Trump tweeted Thursday that the FBI and Department of Justice will review the “outrageous” case of “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett in Chicago, calling it an “embarrassment” to the country.
Prosecutors offered little explanation and infuriated Chicago’s police chief and mayor this week when they dropped 16 felony counts against Smollett related to making a false police report, yet still insisted the actor faked a racist, anti-gay attack on himself in January.
Trump tweeted: “FBI & DOJ to review the outrageous Jussie Smollett case in Chicago. It is an embarrassment to our Nation!”
The two brothers who claim they worked with the actor to stage the January attack are lying, according to Smollett attorney Tina Glandian. She said Smollett, who is black and gay, had hired one brother as a personal trainer but had no idea who attacked him along a Chicago street until the brothers were later identified by police.
Police said investigators believe Smollett hired the brothers to stage the early-morning Jan. 29 attack, and that Smollett hoped to gain attention to help advance his career. Police also allege that before the attack, Smollett sent a letter threatening himself to the Chicago television studio where “Empire” is shot. The FBI, which is investigating that letter, has declined to comment.
Smollett has repeatedly insisted the attack was real, saying two masked men used racial and homophobic slurs, wrapped a rope around his neck and poured an “unknown substance” on him. Police said Smollett also told detectives the attackers yelled he was in “MAGA country,” an apparent reference to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan.
In a stunning reversal Tuesday, the Cook County state’s attorney’s office abruptly dropped all charges against Smollett, abandoning the criminal case only five weeks after the allegations were filed.
In return, prosecutors said, the actor agreed to let the city keep his $10,000 in bail. The dismissal drew a backlash and raised the question of why Smollett was not forced to admit any wrongdoing.
Among those sure to keep pressing for answers is Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. He appeared blindsided by the decision and visibly angry during a Tuesday press conference, calling it “a whitewash of justice.”
The 2019 Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine was an awesome experience for seven students from the DMV. Out of tens of thousands of applicants, only 100 high school age students from across the country are chosen each year to participate in the Disney Dreamers Academy.
The dreamers were treated to some of the best mentors and coaching in the country from the likes of, Chef Jeff, Jonathan Sprinkles, Dr. Steve Perry, Mikki Taylor of Essence Magazine, Yolanda Adams, Brandi and Karli Harvey and of course, Steve Harvey himself.
Based on each students desired career choice they are teamed up with experts in those fields, such as, Medicine, Law, Culinary, Horticulture, Music, Engineering, Art and Design, Astronomy, just to name a few. In addition there are classes on business etiquette and how to dress for success. The young ladies learn about proper attire work and play and the young men are taught what’s appropriate for business (suit, dress shirts, dress shoes and a tie) For those young men who didn’t know, we mentors help teach them how to tie a neck tie.
Some of the celebrity guests who stopped in were, Marcus Scribner and Miles Brown of the hit show Black-ish and Trevor Jackson from Grown-ish and Ne-Yo made a video appearance and awarded two lucky dreamers with an opportunity to join him in studio to produce music. They shared their own stories and the dreamers about staying focused on their dreams and never giving up.were,
The Disney Dreamers Academy is all about changing lives and making dreams come true. This years slogan was “Be 100: Be The Hero of Your Own Story”.
Registration for the Disney Dreamers Academy Class of 2020 is open to high school teens to apply right now! Take a peek at a few of the amazing speakers and people ready to boost your purpose and potential. Dreams do come true!
The claim Thursday from HUD comes less than a week after Facebook said it would overhaul its ad-targeting systems to prevent discrimination in housing , credit and employment ads as part of a legal settlement with a group that includes the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Fair Housing Alliance and others.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Facebook is again facing charges of discrimination because of its ad-targeting system, this time by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The claim Thursday from HUD comes less than a week after Facebook said it would overhaul its ad-targeting systems to prevent discrimination in housing , credit and employment ads as part of a legal settlement with a group that includes the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Fair Housing Alliance and others.
The technology at the heart of the clashes is what has helped turned Facebook into a goliath with annual revenue of close to $56 billion.
It can offer advertisers and groups the ability to direct messages with precision to exactly the crowd that they want to see it. The potential is as breathtaking as it is potentially destructive.
Facebook has taken fire for allowing groups to target groups of people identified as “Jew-haters” and Nazi sympathizers. There remains the fallout from the 2016 election, when, among other things, Facebook allowed fake Russian accounts to buy ads targeting U.S. users to enflame political divisions.
Facebook is wrestling with several government investigations in the U.S. and Europe over its data and privacy practices. A shakeup this month that ended with some of Facebook’s highest ranking executives leaving has raised questions about the direction it’s moving.
Those departures came shortly after CEO Mark Zuckerberg layed out a new “privacy-focused” vision for social networking. He has promised to transform Facebook from a company known for devouring the personal information shared by its users to one that gives people more ways to communicate in truly private fashion, with their intimate thoughts and pictures shielded by encryption in ways that Facebook itself can’t read.
HUD, which is pursuing civil charges and potential monetary awards, claimed Thursday that Facebook’s ad platform is “encouraging, enabling, and causing housing discrimination” because it allows advertisers to exclude people who they don’t want to see their ads. The agency said Facebook technology illegally restricts who can view housing-related ads on its platforms and across the internet. It also claims Facebook gathers extensive data about its users and then uses that data to determine which users view housing-related ads.
HUD claims Facebook allowed advertisers to exclude people based on their neighborhood by drawing a red line around those neighborhoods on a map and gave advertisers the option of showing ads only to men or only to women. The agency also claims Facebook allowed advertisers to exclude people that the social media company classified as parents; non-American-born; non-Christian; interested in accessibility; interested in Hispanic culture or a wide variety of other interests that closely align with the Fair Housing Act’s protected classes.
Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment early Thursday.
The company’s stock declined slightly in early trading.
In the News @ 10
A gunshot victim dropped off at a Md hospital dies…
An audit finds major violations with Prince George’s Co. School contracts…
Teen pleads guilty to making racial threats towards Charlottesville H.S….
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A gunshot victim dropped off at a Md hospital dies…
Police are looking for the person or people who dropped off a gunshot victim Wednesday morning. Investigators say the male victim was left at the Prince George’s Hospital Center around 12:40.
The victim later died. Police have identified him as 30-year-old Eric Weaver Jr. of Northeast, DC. It’s unclear where Weaver was shot. Police are encouraging anyone with information in this case to contact them.
An audit of Prince George’s Co. School contracts shows major violations…
A state audit conducted on the Prince George’s County School system showed a number of violations with officials who awarded $75 million dollars in contracts.
They found issues with sole-source contracts, the payroll approval process and holes within the computer network security, to name a few. The review was conducted by the state Office of Legislative Audits. These audits are done on a regular bases once every six years.
Interim Schools CEO Monica Goldson has released a letter to the public stating that she is aware of the findings and she is actually in the process of bringing in an outside company to oversee the school systems procurement office.
Teen pleads guilty to making racial threats towards Charlottesville H.S….
The 17-year-old police charged with making online racist threats against Charlottesville High School earlier this month appeared in court Wednesday. The male suspect entered a guilty plea. His threats caused officials to cancel classes at the school for two days. Joseph Platania, the Charlottesville Commonwealth Attorney said he made the threats to get attention and that a search of his home showed that he was not actually planning an attack. The unidentified teen will be sentenced on April 24.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963
“Wendy is not in a good way, everyone is so concerned for her. The sad thing is that she’s been working so hard to stay sober and she’s been so honest in her struggles with all her fans, and this just tipped her over the edge,” a source told Page Six. “But the fact she still came to the set just shows how strong she’s trying to be.”
After checking herself out of the sober house in Queens, Williams was found drunk and rushed to the hospital. At the hospital, she was treated and given IV fluids used for vitamin and electrolyte deficiencies in patients with dangerous alcohol levels.
Even after being admitted into the hospital, Williams still showed up to the set of her show and filmed on Tuesday. It has since been announced that she is taking another hiatus from her show. The hiatus was previously scheduled.
Wendy just returned from a previous hiatus from January until March 4th, which she took to focus on her health. She admitted to living in a sober home for recovery and she is currently back at the facility.
“Wendy is not in a good way, everyone is so concerned for her. The sad thing is that she’s been working so hard to stay sober and she’s been so honest in her struggles with all her fans, and this just tipped her over the edge,” a source told Page Six. “But the fact she still came to the set just shows how strong she’s trying to be.”
Neither Monica or Shannon have confirmed the split. We wish them the absolute best and pray they’re able to remain amicable for the sake of their family.
We are sad to report R&B singer Monica and her hubby of eight years, ex-NBA player Shannon Brown, have officially decided to part ways. According to TMZ, the singer filed for divorce earlier this month in Atlanta. She attempted to keep the files sealed but apparently that did not happen.
The couple share a 5-year-old daughter, Laiyah, and two sons from a previous relationship, Rocko and Romelo. TMZ secured court documents that state Monica is seeking spousal support as well as child support.
If you follow Monica on social media, maybe you’ve noticed she hasn’t been sporting her ring in most of her posts.
Neither Monica or Shannon have confirmed the split. We wish them the absolute best and pray they’re able to remain amicable for the sake of their family.
WHUR is tackling a very serious issue in our community tonight for a special town hall edition of the Daily Drum with Harold Fisher. Our very own News and Public Affairs Director Renee Nash joins me in studio with the details of why you need to be a part of this community call to action. My guest is Renee Nash – WHUR’s News and Public Affairs
WHUR Special Town Edition of the Daily Drum Opioids the Crisis Within will be held Thursday, March 28thfrom 7pm to 8:30pm at the First Baptist Church of Highland Park @ 6801 Sheriff Road in Landover. www.whur.com
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.
There was a time when you heard the term scientist and only thought about men. That time is long past. Women are continuing to step into the forefront of science careers, especially black women. But who are they? In this Women Wednesday conversation, you will meet two of them.
Guests:
Dr. Mareena Robinson-Snowden, PhD, Stanton Nuclear Security Fellow, The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Tryshanda Moton, Senior Aerospace Engineer, NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center
DC Police Use Of Force Increases. Chicago Police Release Reports Into Jussie Smollett’s Case. Charlottesville Attacker To Plead Guilty In Federal Hate Crime Case. Verizon Releasing Free Features To Block Robocalls, Catch Spam
(Washington, DC) — The DC police department’s use of force is up for the second year in a row. NBC Washington reports the Metropolitan Police Department’s use of force increased for a second consecutive year, and data shows African-Americans are overwhelmingly the target of that force. A report by the Office of Police Complaints says there were one-thousand-35 incidents in 2017. That number went up to one-thousand-242 incidents in 2018, a 20-percent increase. Of those use of force incidents in 2018, 90-percent were against African-Americans. The majority of cases were found to be justified.
Chicago Police Release Reports Into Jussie Smollett’s Case
(Chicago, IL) — New details are being released in the Jussie Smollet investigation as the actor claims vindication. According to just released redacted reports by the Chicago Police Department officers were able to get a warrant for the actor’s iCloud account, reviewed the information and shared it with the FBI. Smollett was cleared of all charges yesterday which alleged him of faking a hate-crime in Chicago. He’s remains under possible investigation by the FBI and U.S. Postal Service. Chicago police say an investigation into a death threat letter the Empire actor received prior to the attack has been handed over to the FBI.
Charlottesville Attacker To Plead Guilty In Federal Hate Crime Case
(Charlottesville, VA) — Reports state there will be a change of plea in the federal hate crime case involving the man convicted of fatally running over a woman during a white nationalist rally in Virginia. James Fields is expected to appear in court today to plead guilty to federal charges in a deal to avoid the death penalty. In June, Fields was indicted on 30 federal civil rights charges. He was previously convicted of first degree murder for driving his car into a crowd during a Unite the Right white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017. One person, Heather Heyer, was killed and over two dozen others hurt.
Verizon Releasing Free Features To Block Robocalls, Catch Spam
(New York, NY) — Verizon is preparing to reveal new software to block robocalls and alert customers to spam. The nation’s biggest wireless provider is expected this week to announce free features for wireless customers who have smartphones that can support the features, including Android and iPhones. Verizon announced the plan two months ago and said it’s identified nearly 300-million numbers linked to spam and robocalling. According to Forbes, Verizon is expected to provide more information about how to get and use the app by the end of this week.
Issa Rae’s cover for Essence magazine is stunning! As fans gravitate to the cover, they couldn’t help but noticed a huge ring on her ring finger. She discreetly shows off the ring in numerous shots published from the shoot. She also wore all white cover of the magazine. Could she be subtly hinting at this? What do you think?
Actress, producer, and director Issa Rae is rumored to be engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Louis Diame. Rae is going from Awkward Black Girl to married black woman before our eyes.
This year is already a busy one for Issa. Starring in the upcoming film Little, with Regina Hall and Marsai Martin, and her recent Essence cover has us all looking to see what she’s gonna bring us next.
Issa Rae’s cover for Essence magazine is stunning! As fans gravitate to the cover, they couldn’t help but noticed a huge ring on her ring finger. She discreetly shows off the ring in numerous shots published from the shoot. She also wore all white cover of the magazine. Could she be subtly hinting at this? What do you think?
While Rae discusses many relationship issues in her TV show, Insecure, she is known to keep her own love life private. She has not announced her engagement to Louis, however many are convinced wedding bells are on the horizon.
Obama has sold out multiple arenas for her international book tour. She has been interviewed onstage by Oprah Winfrey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Reese Witherspoon and former Obama senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, and many others.
Michelle Obama’s book, “Becoming”, is set to become the best-selling memoir in history. Our Forever FLOTUS has sold close to 10 million copies within the 5 months of its release date.
Within its first week of being published, “Becoming” sold more than 1.4 million copies, according to the publishing company Penguin Random House. It’s released date was in November 2018 and has spent 18 weeks as Number 1 on the New York Times’ bestsellers list.
Obama has sold out multiple arenas for her international book tour. She has been interviewed onstage by Oprah Winfrey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Reese Witherspoon and former Obama senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, and many others.
Not only was Michelle Obama the first African American first lady ever in history, but she is also one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. She has been an advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world.
Through Michelle’s memoir, we’re able to follow her journey from her childhood in South Side Chicago to her present years as a mother and highly successful woman.
On any given day in the US a child is exposed to the deadly consequences of gun violence. My guest today helps to provide therapy, mentoring and after to school care to such children in the District. They have a big fundraiser coming up this weekend to keep their work going at the TraRon Center in DC. My guest is Brittney Floyd – Member of Women Involved In ReEntry Efforts or the WIRE
The fundraiser is Saturday, March 30th@ 11am at theCheck It Enterprises 1920 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE WDC 20032. A conversation about the intersection between trauma, gun violence and mass incarceration and the need for a community-centric approach. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-wire-2019-womens-brunch-tickets-57940152556
Tune in to Taking it to the Streets, weekday mornings at 6:15, 7:08 and 8:35on the Steve Harvey Morning Showon 96.3 WHUR.
Follow me on facebook and twitter at @bobbygailes for updates and to stay connected.
In the News at 10..
3 Duval H.S. students are in grave condition…
Study questions where DC constituent service funds are going…
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3 Duval H.S. students are in grave condition…
Three of the five Duval High School students involved in a car accident yesterday remain in grave condition. The seniors were in a car headed back to school after lunch. According to police reports, a vehicle pulling out of a driveway on Good Luck Road hit them. The three in the backseat were partially ejected from the Nissan. Police say none of the students were wearing seat belts.
Grief counselors are at the school today to help those dealing with this terrible accident. It’s still unclear why the students were off campus during the day. Prince George’s County Public Schools do not offer open lunch. Interim CEO of Prince George’s County Public Schools Monica Goldson said the driver of the Nissan had permission to leave the school.
Study questions where DC constituent service funds are going…
The Government watchdog group Public Citizen says private donations to elected officials in DC for residents in need are not going to them. The money goes into an account known as a Constituent Services Funds. The money given is supposed to be used for residents in emergency situations in need of help to pay a light bill, funeral services etc..
According to their study, most of the money given is not being spent on the urgent needs of residents. Public Citizen, says a large majority of the money is being spent on catering, sports tickets, and even fundraisers.
All of the District’s 13 Council member’s and the Mayor have constituent services funds. There are five that refuse to use them they are At Large Council Member, Robert White, Jr., At Large Council member, Elissa Silverman, At Large Council member , David Grosso, Ward 1 Council member Brianne Nadeau, and Ward 6 Council member Charles Allen.
Ward 2 Council member Jack Evans has the largest fund at $143,152 at the start of the year. Despite the fact that residents in his ward have an average mean income of over $100,000 a year. He is known to use his funds for sporting tickets, which he says he gives to residents or schools from time to time.
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NEW YORK (AP) — Apple trotted out few details on its long-awaiting streaming service on Monday, but it didn’t skimp on high-wattage celebrity.
Oprah Winfrey,Steven Spielberg and Jennifer Aniston were part of a parade of A-listers who took the stage at Apple headquarters in Cupertino, California, where the main attractions are usually the company’s latest high-tech gadgets.
This time, though, it was the likes of Big Bird and Aquaman himself, Jason Momoa, who took the spotlight at Apple’s latest live-streamed product launch.
“I’m joining forces with Apple,” declared Winfrey. “They’re in a billion pockets, y’all.”
Apple chief executive Tim Cook gave what he called “a sneak peek” of the tech giant’s plans to transform television viewing and jump — some analysts say belatedly — into the streaming business Netflix has pioneered.
The service, dubbed Apple TV Plus, will debut in the fall in more than 100 countries and feature ad-free original series and films. Cook and Apple declined to say how much the nascent streaming service will cost. It was unveiled as an extension of Apple’s redesigned TV app, which will bundle third-party services like HBO, CBS and Showtime, along with a user’s cable subscription and some streaming services like Hulu. Netflix has said it won’t partake.
Much of both Hollywood and Silicon Valley had eagerly awaited details on Apple’s much-ballyhooed foray into original programming, something the company had been quietly prepping for the last few years — and laying aside at least $1 billion to do so. But it’s not the only company readying a rival to Netflix, which spent $12 billion on content last year. The Walt Disney Co. and AT&T’s WarnerMedia are both set to unveil their own platforms later this year.
Standing out from the pack will be a challenge for each. Disney’s streaming service, named Disney-Plus, even bears a plus-symbol just like Apple’s service.
“It’s not just another streaming service,” said Zack Van Amburg, who along with Jamie Erlicht was hired away from Sony TV to head Apple’s video programming.
Cook didn’t map out how extensive Apple’s streaming library will be; it has about two dozen series and a handful of movies in the pipeline. But he promised big ambitions. “We partnered with the most thoughtful, accomplished and award-winning group of creative visionaries who have ever come together in one place, to create a new service unlike anything that’s been done before,” he said.
But what the presentation lacked in particulars it sought to make up for with star power and sizzle-reel teases of its upcoming slate. Some of the highlights:
— Oprah: Winfrey said she has two documentaries in the works for Apple TV Plus (one on mental health, one on the toll of sexual harassment in the workplace) and is planning “the most stimulating book club on the planet.” The TV personality, whose book club choices have made dozens of works into instant best-sellers, said the Apple broadcast will include streamed conversations with authors. Winfrey already has her OWN network and “O″ magazine where she still makes book picks, most recently Michelle Obama’s “Becoming.” ″I am proud to be a part of this platform where I can connect with people around the world to create positive change,” said Winfrey.
— “Amazing Stories”: Executive produced by Steve Spielberg, “Amazing Stories” is a science-fiction anthology series the filmmaker is reviving. It first ran for two seasons from 1985-1987 on NBC. “We want to transport the audience with every single episode,” said Spielberg.
— “The Morning Show”: Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carell star in this series about the behind-the-scenes drama at a TV morning show. Witherspoon said it will “pull back the curtain on men and women in the high-stakes battle of morning television.” It is, notably, Aniston’s first time back in television since “Friends.” ″And I’m really excited about it,” she said.
— “Little America”: Kumail Nanjiani unveiled this anthology series based on true-life tales of immigrants or children of immigrants from across the country. “This is no such thing as the other,” said the comedian-actor-writer. “There is only us.”
— “See”: This post-apocalyptic series stars Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard takes places centuries after a cataclysmic event where all of humanity has lost its sight.
Other shows in development include the thriller “Defending Jacob,” in which Chris Evans plays a father whose 14-year-old son is accused of murder; an untitled drama from M. Night Shyamalan; a series from “La La Land” director Damien Chazelle; a show about computer coding for preschoolers called “Helpsters,” with Big Bird; a drama series about youth basketball produced by Kevin Durant; “Dickinson,” starring Hailee Steinfeld as Emily Dickinson; and “Little Voice,” a show about a young musician produced by J. J. Abrams and Sara Bareilles, who performed the theme song Monday.
Apple’s nascent movie aims were harder to discern Monday. It previously entered into a partnership with A24, the indie label behind films like “Moonlight” and “Lady Bird.” Their first film together is to be “On the Rocks,” Sofia Coppola’s reunion with “Lost in Translation” star Bill Murray. He plays a larger-than-life father reconnecting with his daughter, played by Rashida Jones.
The Braxton family is back with their dramatic sneak peek trailer of season six of BFV. This season on WE tv’s Braxton Family Values, the family discusses internal issues in their personal lives and as a family. The season will also show the aftermath of their sessions with Iyanla Vanzant and what they’re going to do moving forward.
The season will shed light on Toni Braxton and Birdman’s relationship troubles. Isn’t the wedding off? Does Birdman want to elope?
Trina Braxton opens up about the death of her ex-husband Gabe. Tamar Braxton and Vince Herbert are still not officially divorced, however Tamar is not letting that stop her grind and going public with her boo.
Supposedly Traci Braxton is set to open up for Tamar on tour, Towanda Braxton also has a new boo and Evelyn Braxton has her hands in many pockets with a new cookbook and business venture.
In the first look of Braxton Family Values, Evelyn admits that she believes Vanzant picked on Tamar. What do you think?
“While this is not the outcome we hoped for, we understand this brings closure for the family. Our thoughts & prayers go out to them,” Columbus Police wrote in a Twitter press release.
Columbus community activist, Amber Evans, body was recovered on Saturday, March 23. After months of searching, Columbus Police Special Victims Bureau and Dive Team discovered her body in the Scioto River in Columbus, Ohio. It is reported that Amber Evans has been missing since Jan. 28.
“While this is not the outcome we hoped for, we understand this brings closure for the family. Our thoughts & prayers go out to them,” Columbus Police wrote in a Twitter press release.
Her abandoned vehicle was found in the Scioto Mile area Downtown and her phone was found in another part of Scioto Mile. She was last seen in a local store buying cold medicine and a candy bar.
Evans is known for being positively active in her community and collaborating with social justice organizations like the Juvenile Justice Coalition in Columbus,Ohio since 2015. She was recently promoted to Executive Director earlier this year. She was a key organizer of protests at Columbus City Hall and according to The Columbus Dispatch, was “heavily involved” with the People’s Justice Project.
Evans’ mother broke silence via Facebook Live:
“I’m coming on here as a mother who has just found out that I lost my first-born child,” Fischer said, choking up as she spoke. “I love you all, and you all know I’m more than willing to accept all that you have to give… but just give me a moment. Just a moment. Give my family a moment.”
Tynan Krakoff released a statement from social organization, “Show Up for Racial Justice”:
“Anyone who knew Amber knows that she was extremely disciplined and dedicated to struggling for a better world. She treated everyone with dignity and when you spoke, it always felt like she truly was listening. She was a fighter and we will continue her legacy.”
As the story still develops, Evans’ family is in our thoughts and prayers!
Empire actor Jussie Smollett is feeling vindicated today after all 16 counts were dropped against him in his criminal case. But officials in Chicago are condemning the decision by prosecutors to drop all charges against Smollett. Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson says justice was not served. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said the Empire actor used hate crime laws to advance his career and the whole case was a whitewash. Emanuel added he fears victims of hate crimes will be doubted after this case. Johnson said Smollett is hiding behind a brokered deal. Smollett was being prosecuted for allegedly lying to police about an alleged racial attack. All records in the case are being sealed.
We also discuss the latest on the Mueller investigation. Attorney General William Barr is working on a version of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s report for public release. A Justice Department official tells NBC News the process will take “weeks not months” to complete. Last week, Barr released a summary of the report and concluded that there was no evidence of collusion or conspiracy between Russia and members of Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Lisa Crooms-Robinson, Professor of Law, Howard University School of Law
Cops/Mayor Angry After Charges Dropped Against Jussie Smollett. House Fails To Override Trump Veto On Border Resolution. Police ID Man Gunned Down In District Heights.
Cops/Mayor Angry After Charges Dropped Against Jussie Smollett
(Chicago, IL) — Officials in Chicago are outraged after prosecutors dropped all charges against actor Jussie Smollett. Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson says justice was not served. Chicago Democratic Mayor Rahm Emanuel said the Empire actor used hate crime laws to advance his career and the whole case was a whitewash. Emanuel added he fears victims of hate crimes will be doubted after this case. Johnson said Smollett is hiding behind a brokered deal. Smollett was being prosecuted for allegedly lying to police about an alleged racial attack. All records in the case are being sealed.
Emanuel compared Smollett’s dropped charges to the recent college admissions scandal. Emanuel said “You cannot have, because of a person’s position, one set of rules apply to them and another set of rules apply to everybody else.”
House Fails To Override Trump Veto On Border Resolution
(Washington, DC) — The House has failed to override President Trump’s veto of a measure blocking his border emergency declaration. The override fell short of a two-thirds majority needed for passage. The final vote was 248-181. The House and Senate both passed the resolution of disapproval and the President promptly vetoed the measure. Trump recently declared a national emergency at the southern border and aims to divert Defense Department construction funds to help build a massive border wall. Trump’s border declaration is also being challenged in federal court.
Police ID Man Gunned Down In District Heights
(Prince George’s County, MD) — Prince George’s County police are identifying the man who was killed in a District Heights shooting that led to the lockdown of two area schools. Damon Proctor was shot outside a house on Daventry Terrace yesterday afternoon, and later died from his injuries. A woman was shot in the leg and was hospitalized. Police say Proctor and three other people went to the home to continue a domestic-related dispute that started earlier that day at a different location. There was a confrontation outside the house and a man shot Proctor and the woman. Police say the shooter spoke voluntarily to detectives last night at police headquarters and was released as authorities investigate. The shooting caused two schools to go into lockdown yesterday afternoon. No one has been charged in the incident.
“This decision is a kick in the gut to our community,” said Ryan Hampton, who is recovering from opioid addiction. “We deserve to have our day in court with Purdue. The parents, the families, the survivors deserve at least that. And Oklahoma stripped that from us today.”
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The maker of OxyContin and the family that owns the company have reached a $270 million settlement with the state of Oklahoma over the prescription painkiller’s role in the nation’s deadly opioid crisis, a person familiar with the agreement said Tuesday.
The person was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Oklahoma’s attorney general scheduled an afternoon news conference to announce the settlement with Stamford, Connecticut-based Purdue Pharma and its controlling Sackler family.
Nearly $200 million of the settlement will go toward establishing the National Center for Addiction Studies and Treatment at Oklahoma State University in Tulsa. Local governments will get $12.5 million.
The deal comes two months before Oklahoma’s lawsuit against Purdue Pharma and other drug companies was set to become the first one in the current coast-to-coast wave of litigation against the industry to go to trial. This is the first settlement to come out of the barrage of lawsuits.
Plaintiffs’ attorney Paul Hanly, who is not involved in the Oklahoma case but is representing scores of other governments, welcomed the settlement, saying: “That suggests that Purdue is serious about trying to deal with the problem. Hopefully, this is the first of many.”
But some activists were furious, saying they were denied the chance to hold Purdue Pharma fully accountable in public, in front of a jury.
“This decision is a kick in the gut to our community,” said Ryan Hampton, who is recovering from opioid addiction. “We deserve to have our day in court with Purdue. The parents, the families, the survivors deserve at least that. And Oklahoma stripped that from us today.”
He added: “We cannot allow Purdue to cut backroom deals with state attorneys general.”
Sandy Coats, an attorney for Purdue Pharma, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Prescription opioids like OxyContin were a factor in a record 48,000 deaths across the U.S. in 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Purdue Pharma introduced OxyContin more than 20 years ago and marketed it aggressively to doctors. It has made tens of billions of dollars from the drug in but has been hit with close to 2,000 lawsuits from state and local governments trying to hold the company responsible for the scourge of addiction. Those lawsuits now threaten to push Purdue Pharma into bankruptcy.
The lawsuits accuse the company of downplaying the addiction risks and pushing doctors to increase dosages even as the dangers became known. According to a court filing, Richard Sackler, then senior vice president responsible for sales, proudly told the audience at a launch party for OxyContin that it would create a “blizzard of prescriptions that will bury the competition.”
Purdue Pharma has settled other lawsuits over the years, and three executives pleaded guilty to criminal charges in 2007. But this is the first settlement to come out of the surge of litigation that focuses largely on the company’s more recent conduct.
The agreement was announced after the Oklahoma Supreme Court on Monday denied a request from drugmakers to postpone the start of the state’s trial in May.
Cheryl Juaire, whose 23-year-old son Corey died of an overdose in 2011, said she was devastated to hear about the settlement. She had been organizing a group of hundreds of mothers to go to the first day of the trial and stand outside with photos of their dead children.
Jauire, who lives in Marlborough, Massachusetts, said a complete airing of the facts is the only way to fully hold Purdue to account.
“They can’t settle,” she said. “That would be a huge disservice to the tens of thousands of families here in the United States who buried a child. That’s blood money from our children.”
Oklahoma sued Purdue Pharma and several other opioid manufacturers in 2017, accusing them of fraudulent marketing practices that led to thousands of overdoses and deaths. State officials have said that since 2009, more Oklahomans have died from opioids than in vehicle crashes. The remaining defendants still face trial.
The Sackler family is responsible for $75 million of the $270 million settlement, according to the person familiar with the agreement.
As the accusations have mounted, the Sacklers have faced personal lawsuits and growing public pressure. A Massachusetts court filing made public earlier this year found that family members were paid at least $4 billion from 2007 until last year.
The Sacklers are major philanthropists, and the family name is emblazoned on the walls at many of the world’s great museums and universities. But in the past few weeks, the Tate museums in London and the Guggenheim Museum in New York have cut ties with the family, and other institutions have come under pressure to turn down donations or remove the Sackler name.
This month, Purdue Pharma officials acknowledged that are considering filing for bankruptcy because of the crush of lawsuits.
More than 1,400 federal lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies have been consolidated in front of a single judge in Cleveland who is pushing the drugmakers and distributors to reach a nationwide settlement with state and local governments.
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Mulvihill reported from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Associated Press reporter Jill Bleed in Little Rock, Arkansas, contributed to this report.
Attorneys for “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett said Tuesday that charges alleging he lied to police about a racist and homophobic attack have been dropped.
CHICAGO (AP) — Attorneys for “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett said Tuesday that charges alleging he lied to police about a racist and homophobic attack have been dropped.
Smollett attorneys Tina Glandian and Patricia Brown Holmes said in a statement that Smollett’s record “has been wiped clean.” Smollett was indicted on 16 felony counts related to making a false report that he was attacked by two men.
A spokeswoman for Cook County prosecutors didn’t immediately respond to messages requesting comment.
Police and prosecutors have said the black and gay actor falsely reported to authorities that he was attacked around 2 a.m. on Jan. 29 in downtown Chicago because he was unhappy with his pay on the Fox show and to promote his career.
Smollett, who is black and gay, plays the gay character Jamal Lyon on the hit Fox TV show that follows a black family as they navigate the ups and downs of the recording industry.
Smollett reported that he had been attacked on his way home from a sandwich shop. Smollett said two masked men shouted racial and anti-gay slurs, poured bleach on him, beat him and looped a rope around his neck. He claimed they shouted, “This is MAGA country” — a reference to President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan. He asserted that he could see one of the men was white because he could see the skin around his eyes.
Police said Smollett hired two men, both of whom are black, to attack him. Police said Smollett paid the men $3,500.
The men are brothers Abimbola “Abel” and Olabinjo “Ola” Osundairo, and one of them had worked on “Empire.” An attorney for them has said the brothers agreed to help Smollett because of their friendship with him and the sense that he was helping their careers.
Police have also said that before the attack, Smollett sent a letter that threatened him to the Chicago studio where “Empire” is shot. The FBI, which is investigating that letter, has declined to comment on the investigation.
In the News @ 10
DC auditor calls out the Mayor’s budget plan…
Black students lead a walkout over racist threats in Charlottesville, Va…
Students protest in Pittsburgh for Antwon Rose…
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DC auditor calls out the Mayor’s budget plan…
The person in charge of auditing government programs, Kathleen Patterson does not agree with Mayor Muriel Bowsers budget proposal for the city.
Patterson says the plan is “not fiscally responsible”. She went on to say that it would place the District on an unsustainable track long term. Patterson noted that the budget would be balanced with the increased taxes but its not something that she believes can be maintained year after year.
The Bowser administration released a statement that reads in part: “The comments by Council’s auditors and $2 will get you a ride on the Metrobus. But thanks to the Mayor’s Fair Shot budget proposal, you can save yourself reading the Council’s auditor’s comments and ride Circulator free forever.”
Some say the Mayor has not set aside enough money for the homeless, improving public housing and educational resources in low-income area’s.
Black students lead a walkout over racist threats in Charlottesville, Va…
Hundreds of students from Charlottesville High School walked out of class yesterday. The walkout followed the school being closed for two days because of racial threats made on various social media outlets that prompted the school system to cancel all classes. Led by members of the Black Student Union students walked in protest to the threats and they called on racial equality from the school system and leaders.
Zyahna Bryant the President of the Black Student Union said black and white are treated differently at the school from the types of classes that they are put into the disciplinary actions taken against them.
Bryant list 10 demands which include the school system denouncing racism, employing more black educators and changing the current student discipline policies. A spokesperson for the school system said some in the community have raised the same concerns and they are working on addressing them.
Students protest in Pittsburgh for Antwon Rose…
The impacts of the police involved shooting death of unarmed 17-year-old Antwon Rose promoted hundreds of students in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to walk out of school.
The students came from a number of schools and they walked to the Allegheny County Courthouse to show their displeasure with a jury that voted “not guilty” in the case of the white police officer that shot the honor student in the back as he ran during a traffic stop. The students chanted “Black Lives Matter and “three shots in the back”. Officials from the Pittsburgh School System released a statement in support of students rights to protest but stating they did not want students leaving school to do so.
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The company also unveiled a news subscription service that will give customers access to roughly 300 magazines and a few major newspapers for $10 a month. And it announced a new branded credit card.
CUPERTINO, California (AP) — Jumping belatedly into a business dominated by Netflix and Amazon, Apple announced its own TV and movie streaming service Monday, enlisting such superstars as Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Aniston and Steven Spielberg to try to overcome its rivals’ head start.
Apple didn’t disclose the price or the launch date except to say that Apple TV Plus will be available this fall. It will feature Apple’s original shows and movies .
The company also unveiled a news subscription service that will give customers access to roughly 300 magazines and a few major newspapers for $10 a month. And it announced a new branded credit card.
The video-streaming venture is fraught with risk for a company scrambling to diversify beyond its star product, the iPhone, whose sales have started to decline . Netflix, which started its streaming service in 2007, has 139 million subscribers worldwide.
But Apple has lots of money, more than 900 million active iPhones, and a track record for innovation that has enabled it to overtake its rivals, even when it enters a business late, as it did with smartphones, tablets and smartwatches.
In the past, of course, Apple has mostly jumped into relatively small and undeveloped markets. Streaming video, by contrast, is dominated by huge services like Netflix, Amazon and Hulu, with more seeming to be bowing into the competition daily, including AT&T’s WarnerMedia, Disney and Comcast.
“Great competitors make for great consumer experiences,” Netflix said in a statement. Netflix stock rose $5.22 to $366.23 Monday. Apple’s stock fell $2.31 to $188.74.
Among the upcoming programs on the new Apple service will be Winfrey-created documentaries; a show about TV morning talk shows, starring Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carell; a futuristic drama starting Momoa; and a sci-fi show called “Amazing Stories” from Spielberg.
Apple TV Plus will be featured in the existing Apple TV app, which brings together different streaming services such as HBO and Showtime and traditional cable subscriptions.
Video will be delivered to iPhones and iPads, Apple’s own Apple TV device, smart TVs and, soon, streaming gadgets from Roku and Amazon.
Netflix, which isn’t included in the Apple TV app, has turned “binge watching” into a worldwide phenomenon become a powerhouse in both Silicon Valley and Hollywood since it shifted its emphasis on original programming in 2013..
Apple was long focused on making on gadgets: iPhones, iPads, computers. Apple co-founder Steve Jobs toyed with the idea of building a powerful TV business but couldn’t pull it off before his death in 2011. It has taken his successor, CEO Tim Cook, nearly eight years to draw up the plan the company will now try to execute.
“Apple is very late to this game,” eMarketer analyst Paul Verna said. “Netflix has become the gold standard in how to create and distribute content, using all the data they have about their viewers.”
Industry analyst Colin Gillis of Chatham Road Partners said Apple TV Plus is “not going to be a Netflix killer.” And Martin Garner of CCS Insights said the service so far lacks “the full range and diversity of content available through Netflix, Amazon and others.”
Several analysts, however, warned not to count Apple out.
Apple has reportedly spent more than $1 billion on its original TV shows and movies — far less than Netflix and HBO spend every year. It has plenty of money to spend, though, with about $245 billion in cash and marketable securities.
As part of its effort to catch up, Apple hired two longtime Sony television executives in 2017. They have signed up stars such as Spielberg, Ron Howard and Sofia Coppola.
Winfrey received a standing ovation during her appearance at Apple’s announcement Monday in Cupertino.
“I’m joining forces with Apple,” she said. “They’re in a billion pockets, y’all.”
Apple News Plus, the news subscription service, will include such major papers as The Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times. Other major newspaper publishers have reportedly been wary of Apple’s terms.
The Journal will feature general-interest articles, not its entire slate of stories, although Apple said any article the Journal publishes could be searched for on the Apple app.
Apple said advertisers won’t track readers inside the app. That will distinguish it from Facebook and Google, the other major online news hubs.
The company’s new Mastercard credit card, called Apple Card, won’t have any late fees or annual fees and will offer 2 percent cash back.
“I’m still very much in love with my husband, and anybody whose been married for five minutes or 500 years, you know marriages have ebbs and flows,” she said upon her return to her show on March 4. “Marriages are not easy. Don’t ask me about mine until you see this gone *points to ring* and it ain’t going anywhere. Not in this lifetime!”
Through 10 years of heartache, Wendy William’s cheating husband, Kevin Hunter brings another child into the world without her. Hunter makes headlines as his mistress, Sharina Hudson gives birth to a baby girl.
In December, Hunter caused controversy as rumors spread about his mistress being pregnant. During that time, Wendy took a hiatus from her talk show, due to a fractured shoulder. She has since returned to television, opening up to fans about her drug relapse, and staying at a sober house when she’s not filming episodes of her show.
Due to conflicting reports, the baby girl was born on either March 20th or March 22nd. Hudson was reported in the hospital in Philadelphia, where they paid the hospital in cash. Wendy’s husband also allegedly used a different name when checking into the hospital. Hunter explained to his mistress how he would not leave Wendy because she “funds” his lifestyle. He won’t settle down with Hudson.
Wendy has been seen stepping out without her wedding ring, however it could be a coincidence.“I’m still very much in love with my husband, and anybody whose been married for five minutes or 500 years, you know marriages have ebbs and flows,” she said upon her return to her show on March 4. “Marriages are not easy. Don’t ask me about mine until you see this gone *points to ring* and it ain’t going anywhere. Not in this lifetime!”
Wendy usually stays silent on the matters of her husband cheating and having a child with someone else. All her fans will be waiting to hear her response on this situation.
“He has the money to retire, and his whiskey is KILLIN it,” White added. “If I was him, I would retire too. He’s retiring from fighting. Not from working. The Whiskey will keep him busy, and I’m sure he has other things he’s working on. He has been so fun to watch!!! He has accomplished incredible things in this sport. I am so happy for him and I look forward to seeing him be as successful outside of the octagon as he was in it.”
LOS ANGELES (AP) — UFC superstar Conor McGregor announced his retirement on social media Monday night, abruptly ending his remarkable fighting career.
In a post on his verified Twitter account, the former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion said: “I’ve decided to retire from the sport formally known as ‘Mixed Martial Art’ today.”
The post wishes his “old colleagues well going forward in competition,” and says he would “join my former partners on this venture, already in retirement. Proper Pina Coladas on me fellas!”
The name of the drink in the post appears to be a reference to Proper No. Twelve Whiskey, the loquacious Irishman’s burgeoning liquor venture.
UFC President Dana White said in a text message to The Associated Press that McGregor’s announcement “totally makes sense.”
“He has the money to retire, and his whiskey is KILLIN it,” White added. “If I was him, I would retire too. He’s retiring from fighting. Not from working. The Whiskey will keep him busy, and I’m sure he has other things he’s working on. He has been so fun to watch!!! He has accomplished incredible things in this sport. I am so happy for him and I look forward to seeing him be as successful outside of the octagon as he was in it.”
The 30-year-old McGregor is the most famous fighter in his sport, but he hasn’t won a fight since November 2016, when he beat Eddie Alvarez to become the first UFC fighter to hold championship belts in two divisions simultaneously.
His only fight in 2017 was a loss to boxer Floyd Mayweather in the richest fight in boxing history. He finally returned to the UFC cage last October, but lost a lightweight title fight to Khabib Nurmagomedov via submission in the fourth round.
McGregor was widely expected to fight for the UFC later this year. A few hours before he announced his retirement, McGregor appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in New York and claimed he was negotiating for a probable fight in July at UFC 239 in Las Vegas.
“I don’t necessarily need to fight,” McGregor said on the show. “I am set for life. My family is set for life. We are good, but I am eager to fight, so we’ll see what happens.”
McGregor has quit his sport before. He announced his retirement on Twitter in April 2016 during a dispute with the UFC about the promotion of his next proposed bout. He reversed his decision two days later and fought in August 2016, winning his rematch with Nate Diaz.
White believes this retirement is genuine, and McGregor has had plenty of action outside the cage to occupy his time.
In April 2018, McGregor was charged with assault and criminal mischief after he attacked a bus carrying UFC fighters outside Barclays Arena in Brooklyn. McGregor was acting in revenge for a perceived slight against a teammate, and he eventually pleaded no contest to a count of disorderly conduct.
Earlier this month, McGregor was arrested again in Miami Beach for stealing the phone of someone trying to take his photo, authorities said. McGregor was charged with robbery and criminal mischief, but his attorney described the altercation as minor.
McGregor also was suspended from MMA competition for six months and fined $50,000 for his role in a brawl instigated by Nurmagomedov immediately after their bout last October.
If it sticks, McGregor’s retirement ends a remarkable rise for the former plumber from Dublin who became the biggest star in MMA with his heavy fists and self-promotional acumen. He won 15 consecutive fights during his rise, including a spectacular 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo to win the featherweight title in December 2015.
“When I found out I was pregnant, I was excited, but I had mixed feelings. The other feeling that I had beside excitement was fear,” the reality star told People magazine.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Williams celebrates the birth of a healthy baby girl with fiance Dennis McKinley. Their daughter arrived at 1:36pm, on March 22nd.
It was only a week ago where Williams took to Instagram to show her progress in the 9 month journey alongside with her mother. She posted a video of her faulting, her baby bump waiting to the beautiful moment.
“When I found out I was pregnant, I was excited, but I had mixed feelings. The other feeling that I had beside excitement was fear,” the reality star told People magazine.
Earlier this month, Williams and Mckinley celebrated with a winter wonderland themed baby shower. Friends, family, and Real Housewives co-stars Kenya Moore and Cynthia Bailey attended the party as well.
Speaking of Kenya Moore, she will be returning for the finale of Real Housewives. She took to social media to announce her return by quoting “#shooketh #rhoafinale” and a picture of her posing with her baby bump. Fans cannot wait for her return.
Congratulations to Porsha Williams and Dennis McKinley on their new baby girl!
He was confirmed as Chancellor of D.C. Public Schools just three weeks ago. But Dr. Lewis Ferebee has been on the job for a few months now. What is his plan to improve the city’s public school system? Dr. Ferebee answers that question and many more.
Resources:
Public Contact Information for Dr. Ferebee: 202-442-5885 chancellor@dc.gov
Dr. Lewis Ferebee, Chancellor, District of Columbia Public Schools
“We have so many stories to tell,” Chilli tells Vulture magazine. “We didn’t tell it all in our biopic we did with VH1. A lot of good stuff. It’s gonna be very emotional but a good ride.”
What story has more ups and downs and drama than the TLC story? T-Boz and Chilli are working on a TLC Broadway musical. The musical will be based on the story of TLC and they will be creating new music for the production.
After VH1’s biopic, TLC was ready to take the story to the Broadway stage. They will be introducing new stories that were never covered in their TV movie “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story”.
“We have so many stories to tell,” Chilli tells Vulture magazine. “We didn’t tell it all in our biopic we did with VH1. A lot of good stuff. It’s gonna be very emotional but a good ride.”
Many stories are going to be depicted on the Broadway stage, including Left Eye’s time with Death Row Records and girl-group Blaque, Chilli’s relationship with singer Usher, T-Boz’s marriage to rapper Mack 10, and more.
“We’re so blessed to have longevity and a lot of our music is timeless,” Chilli said. “When you’re in the studio working you have no idea if your song is going to be like that. Time tells that. So, we’re very blessed.”
Two Prince George’s County Schools Locked Down After Shooting. Faces Charges On 2 Coasts. Virginia, Maryland Senators Want Full Mueller Report Released.
Two Prince George’s County Schools Locked Down After Shooting
Suitland High School and Drew Freeman Middle School have been temporarily locked down after a double shooting in the 5200 block of Daventry Terrance. Silver Hill Road from Royal Plaza Drive to Plaza Drive is closed because of the investigation.
Avenatti Faces Charges On 2 Coasts
(New York, NY) — It’s a really bad day for Michael Avenatti. The former attorney for porn star Stormy Daniels has been arrested and charged in New York for attempting to extort more than 20-million-dollars from Nike by threatening to use his status to harm the company’s reputation. Meanwhile, on the other coast, Los Angeles prosecutors charged Avenatti in a separate federal case, where he is accused of embezzling a client’s money to pay expenses related to his coffee business.
Virginia, Maryland Senators Want Full Mueller Report Released
(Washington, DC) — Lawmakers around the DMV are reacting after Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia investigation found no evidence that President Trump colluded with Russia to sway the 2016 election. Both of Virginia’s and Maryland’s U.S. Senators are calling for the full release of the Mueller report. Democrats Tim Kaine and Mark Warner say Americans deserve to see the complete findings. Maryland Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen are calling for full transparency. In a summary released by Attorney General William Barr yesterday, Barr pointedly says Mueller’s investigation did not find evidence President Trump or any members of his campaign conspired with Russia during the 2016 election.
A convicted killer tells how he turned his life around and how you can too…
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Convicted of murder at 18, sentenced to life in prison my special guest Chris Wilson was given a second chance at life. Today we talked about his time behind bars, learning 3 languages, getting his GED and a degree and how anyone can turn their life around and achieve happiness and success . This DC native’s new book “Master Plan” is a best seller.
Join us every Monday at 12:30 on WHUR’s FB page for “Around the DMW in 15 w/ Taylor Thomas”. If you have a guest or show idea email me at tthomas@whur.com. Please type “Around the DMV in 15 with Taylor Thomas” on the subject line.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963
5k Run Walk to Combat, ALS, UNCF Celebrating 75 years, Girl Power Contest, GreenFest, and AKA Fundraiser. Details on these event 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 week prior to your event.
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Job Fair
Continental Societies, Inc is hosting a job fair April 16th at the St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church. Csijobfair2019@gmail.com
Cancer Awareness
Dress In Blue and bring your friends to raise awareness about colorectal cancer March 30th at the Grille Number 13 in Waldorf. 301-922-9879.
AKA Fundraiser
Join Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority needs your help to assist women in West Africa and DC. Come out April 12th to the Xi Omega Center in NW and bring school supplies and feminine care products. www.tinyurl.com/yydurrjs
Brigance Bridade
Support families battling ALS. Join the Brigance Brigade Foundation for its 5k Run Walk April 28th at Canton Waterfront Park. www.brigancebrigade.org
GreenFest
Be a part of an effort to protect the environment. The 5th Annual Montgomery County GreenFest is April 28th at Brookside Gardens. www.montgomerycountygreenfest.org
National Council of Negro Women
The National Council of Negro Women invites you to a fundraising evening of music April 28th at the Waterford at Fair Oaks. www.ncnwrestondulles.org
Moco Commission for Women
The Montgomery County Commission for Women is inviting residents to participate in the 3rd Annual Girl Power Contest. The submission deadline is March 30th. www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cfw
UNCF
The United Negro College Fund is celebrating 75 years of lighting the way to better futures with a series of events throughout the months of March and April. www.uncf.org
Gucci Changemakers is a scholarship program helping a more diverse talent pool of students pursue careers in fashion. Each student selected will receive a $20,000 grant toward their education over the course of four years. The fund is a $5 million plan that will invest in community-based programs, particularly those helping communities of color, in cities across the U.S.
Following the massive blackface controversy, Gucciis taking this MAJOR FAIL and switching to a positive contribution. Gucci and Dapper Dan teamed up to start a program called Gucci Changemakers.
The Italian fashion brand announced a new global program and scholarship fund that will promote diversity and inclusion with a three step plan. The plan will include the Gucci Changemaker Fund, a scholarship program, and company-wide volunteer initiative.
Gucci Changemakers is a scholarship program helping a more diverse talent pool of students pursue careers in fashion. Each student selected will receive a $20,000 grant toward their education over the course of four years. The fund is a $5 million plan that will invest in community-based programs, particularly those helping communities of color, in cities across the U.S.
Famous American high-fashion designer, Dapper Dan took to social media and posted on Instagram on how “Gucci is in a position to steer the overall industry toward becoming a better, more inclusive one”. He also states “That this does not end with Gucci, it begins with Gucci” Gucci developed their Changemakers Council with a board of advisors, Dapper Dan, Will.i.am, Bethann Hardison, and many more.
While the cause of the Gucci Changemakers Fund was from a sweater resembling blackface last month, it’s appreciated that Gucci launches a program that will steer their motives in the right direction and gives back to the community.
In the News @ 10
Deadly police shooting in Frederick, Md…
Md man cuts off his member …
Someone littering in DC leads to a shooting…
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Deadly police shooting in Frederick, Md…
There has been a fatal police shooting in Thurmont, Maryland. Officers were called to a home on Sandy Springs Lane around 1:30 this morning. The call was concerning a person with a gun outside of the home.
When officers arrived, they made contact with the suspect. He was shot by police and later died. The suspect’s identity has not been released. An investigation into the matter is on going.
Md man cuts off his member …
A Maryland man had to be rushed to the hospital over the weekend. This after he cut off his own penis. Reports indicate the man used a razor while at the Montgomery Correctional Facility on Saturday.
He was taken to a hospital in Virginia that specialized in traumatic limb reattachment. At last check, there was no update on the man’s condition.
Someone littering in DC leads to a shooting…
One person has been shot after a dispute by a resident and some people sitting inside of a car in the 800 block of Crittenden Street in Northeast.
Police say the victim noticed people sitting in a vehicle and throwing items on the ground. According to police words were exchanged and someone inside of the vehicle stepped out and fired twice at the resident. He was hit in the arm. The three suspects sped off. The victim is expected to make a full recovery. Police are looking for the suspects.
Harriet Tubman portrait unveiled at Nt’l Museum of African American History and Culture…
For the first time, a portrait of abolitionist Harriet Tubman will be unveiled at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The portrait of the Underground conductor is apart of the Emily Howland 19th century photography album.
The portrait of Harriett Tubman will be on display starting today through March 31st. It will then be moved to the “Slavery in the Freedom” hall in the museum’s the History Gallery.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963
“Peele has really crafted an extraordinary story that I think once again is going to capture the cultural zeitgeist,” said Jim Orr, distribution chief for Universal. “He is recognized as just an amazing talent. He crafts films that make you think, that are extraordinarily well-acted, well-written and are amazingly entertaining.”
NEW YORK (AP) — Jordan Peele has done it again. Two years after the filmmaker’s “Get Out” became a box-office sensation, his frightening follow-up, “Us,” debuted with $70.3 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday.
The opening, well above forecasts, had few parallels. It was the largest debut for an original horror film (only the “It” remake and last year’s “Halloween” have surpassed it in the genre) and one of the highest openings for a live-action original film since “Avatar” was released 10 years ago.
In today’s franchise-driven movie world, seldom has a young director been such a draw. But moviegoers turned out in droves to see what kind of freak-out Peele could muster in his sophomore release.
“Peele has really crafted an extraordinary story that I think once again is going to capture the cultural zeitgeist,” said Jim Orr, distribution chief for Universal. “He is recognized as just an amazing talent. He crafts films that make you think, that are extraordinarily well-acted, well-written and are amazingly entertaining.”
“Us” took over the top spot at the box office from “Captain Marvel,” which had reigned for two weeks. The Marvel Studios superhero release slid to second place with $35 million in its third week. In three weeks of release, it’s made $910 million worldwide, and will soon become the first $1 billion release of 2019.
Other holdovers — the animated amusement “Wonder Park” and the cystic fibrosis teen romance “Five Feet Apart”— trailed in third and fourth with about $9 million each in their second week.
But the weekend belonged overwhelming to “Us,” which more than doubled the $33.4 million domestic debut of 2017′s Oscar-winning “Get Out.” The former “Key & Peele” star’s first film as writer-director, “Get Out” ultimately grossed $255.4 million on a $4.5 million budget.
“Us” cost $20 million to make, meaning it’s already a huge hit for Peele and Universal Pictures, which notched its third No. 1 release of the year following “Glass” and “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.”
It’s also, as Peele has said, more thoroughly a horror film. While “Us” has drawn very good reviews (94 percent fresh on Rotten Tomatoes), audiences gave it a relatively low “B″ CinemaScore. Paul Dergarabedian chalked that up mainly to moviegoers feeling shell-shocked when they emerged from the theater.
“Us” stars Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke as vacationing parents whose family is faced with eerie doppelgangers of themselves. The film added $16.7 million from 47 international territories.
While “Us” was propelled by a number of things, including Nyong’o and buzz out of its SXSW premiere, the main selling point was Peele. The 40-year-old director already has an imprimatur matched only by veteran filmmakers like Clint Eastwood.
“It’s really difficult for a director to become a superstar whose name gets people in theater, and Jordan Peele has done just that,” said Dergarabedian. “He’s a superstar director with a brand all his own, and that’s with two feature films under his belt. That’s pretty astonishing. That just doesn’t happen.”
After a sluggish January and February, the overall box office has rebounded thanks to “Captain Marvel” and “Us.” The weekend was up 15.3 percent from last year, according to Comscore.
The weekend followed an especially tumultuous week in Hollywood. On Monday, Warner Bros. chief Kevin Tsujihara stepped down following a sex scandal. On Wednesday, the Walt Disney Co. completed its $71.3 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox.
In absorbing one of the six major studios in 20th Century Fox, Disney quickly made many layoffs and shuttered Fox 2000, the Fox label behind hit book adaptations like “Hidden Figures” and “Life of Pi.”
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Where available, the latest international numbers for Friday through Sunday are also included.
1. “Us,” $70.3 million ($16.7 million international).
2. “Captain Marvel,” $35 million ($52.1 million international).
3. “Wonder Park,” $9 million ($5 million international).
4. “Five Feet Apart,” $8.8 million ($6.2 million international).
5. “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World,” $6.5 million ($6 million international).
6. “A Madea Family Funeral,” $4.5 million.
7. “Gloria Bell,” $1.8 million.
8. “No Manches Frida,” $1.8 million.
9. “Lego Movie 2: The Second Part,” $1.1 million ($6.2 million international).
10. “Alita: Battle Angel,” $1 million ($1.6 million international).
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Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Where available, the latest international numbers for Friday through Sunday are also included.
1. “Captain Marvel,” $52.1 million.
2. “More Than Blue,” $29.6 million.
3. “Us,” $16.7 million.
4. “Song of Youth,” $11.3 million.
5. “Money,” $10.3 million.
6. “Green Book,” $8.1 million.
7. “Bohemian Rhapsody,” $7.6 million.
8. “Five Feet Apart,” $6.2 million.
9. “Lego Movie 2: The Second Part,” $6.2 million.
10. “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World,” $6 million.
Cardi will be featured alongside Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu, Keke Palmer, and Lili Reinhart as the savvy strippers who secured the bag by tricking their Wall Street clientele.
Just when we think Cardi B has done everything, she can now add actor to her resume. Cardi B is set to star in the new feature film Hustlers. A movie is about a team of former strip club employees who band together to take down their Wall Street clients. This will be Cardi B’s first movie role.
Cardi will be featured alongside Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu, Keke Palmer, and Lili Reinhart as the savvy strippers who secured the bag by tricking their Wall Street clientele.
Cardi B is very open of her previous work as a stripper and this film shows the theme of women empowerment and teamwork, regardless of where you are in the workplace. The rapper took to social media to announce the movie role and quoted, “To a theater near you”.
The film’s director Lorene Scafaria is thrilled to have such a diverse cast. A film for women by women, with much diversity and out of the box plot. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with this dynamic group of women,” Scafaria told Essence Magazine. “We’re grateful to have assembled such a powerhouse cast and can’t wait to start filming at the end of the week.”
Hustlers is based on a 2016 New York story written by Jessica Pressler entitled “The Hustlers At Scores”. The movie is set to begin production on March 22, 2019 in New York City. See you at the theater!
BET released the trailer for the series finale of Being Mary Jane. The finale is set to air April 16.
Starring Gabrielle Union, the premise of the show is about a prominent broadcast journalist, Mary Jane, who struggles to balance her professional and love life. The show was cancelled back in 2017 after four seasons.
Based on the trailer, it’s clear that the gorgeous Morris Chestnut will be making an appearance in the finale. And of course, Michael Ealy is maintaining his role.
The show will be executive produced by show creator Mara Brock Akiland her husband Salim Akil. It will also be EP’d by Will Packer and Erica Sheldon Kodish.
The ladies of The Talk announced the nominations for the 46th annual Daytime Emmy Awards. Wendy Williams, Steve Harvey, Facebook’s Red Table Talk and The Real are amongst the nominees.
Categories at the Daytime Emmy Awards include talk shows, soap operas, game shows, children’s shows, animation and many more. Recently, online streaming services digital series on platforms like Netflix and Amazon are also eligible to win.
Wendy Williams is nominated for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show. The ladies of TheReal are nominated in the same category as well as four other nominations. Red Table Talk and Steve Harvey are nominated for Outstanding Informative Talk Show.
“Thank you to everyone that supports @redtabletalk. Our RTT family has become such a joyful part of our lives. Thank you to the Emmy committee @televisionacad for embracing … the new✨ We appreciate you. Congrats to all the nominees❣️ 📸 @stanevansphoto”
Soap operas are in the lead this year with nominations. Days of our Lives has 27 noms, General Hospital has at 25 noms and The Young and the Restless is third with 20.
Take a look at the full list of the major nominations:
Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program Couples Court Judge Judy Judge Mathis Paternity Court The People’s Court
Outstanding Preschool Children’s Series The Big Fun Crafty Show Dino Drama Miss Persona Sesame Street Snug’s House
Outstanding Morning Program CBS Sunday Morning CNS This Morning Good Morning America Today
Outstanding Entertainment News Program Access DailyMailTV ET Extra Inside Edition
Outstanding Informative Talk Show Hosts
Dr. Mehmet Oz, The Dr. Oz Show
Kellie Pickler and Ben Aaron, Pickler and Ben
Steve Harvey, Steve
Rachael Ray, Rachael Ray
Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, Today
Outstanding Informative Talk Show Access Live The Dr. Oz Show Rachael Ray Red Table Talk Today With Kathie Lee & Hoda
Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Hosts LIVE‘s Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest The Real‘s Adrienne Houghton, Loni Love, Jeannie Mai and Tamera Mowry-Housley The Talk‘s Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood, Carrie Ann Inaba and Julie Chen The View‘s Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Meghan McCain, Anny Hunstman and Sara Haines The Wendy Williams Show‘s Wendy Williams
Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Ellen A Little Help With Carol Burnett The Real The Talk The View
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES B&B Days GH Y&R
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Marci Miller (Abigail, Days)
Heather Tom (Katie, B&B)Maura West (Ava, GH)
Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (Steffy, B&B)
Laura Wright (Carly, GH)
GH’s Benard, Wright and Gail
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH)
Peter Bergman (Jack, Y&R)
Tyler Christopher (Stefan, Days)
Billy Flynn (Chad, Days)
Jon Lindstrom (Ryan/Kevin, GH)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Kassie DePaiva (Eve, Days)
Linsey Godfrey (Sarah, Days)
Martha Madison (Belle, Days)
Beth Maitland (Traci, Y&R)
Mishael Morgan (Hilary, Y&R)
Vernee Watson (Stella, GH)
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Max Gail (Mike, GH)
Brynton James (Devon, Y&R)
Eric Martsolf (Brady, Days)
Greg Rikaart (Leo, Days)
Dominic Zamprogna (Dante, GH)
OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTRESS IN A DRAMA SERIES
Hayley Erin (Kiki, GH)
Olivia Rose Keegan (Claire, Days)
Victoria Konefal (Ciara, Days)
Chloe Lanier (Nelle, GH)
Eden McCoy (Josslyn, GH)
OUTSTANDING YOUNGER ACTOR IN A DRAMA SERIES
Lucas Adams (Tripp, Days)
William Lipton (Cameron, GH)
Kyler Pettis (Theo, Days)
Garren Stitt (Oscar, GH)
Zach Tinker (Fenmore, Y&R)
OUTSTANDING GUEST PERFORMER IN A DRAMA SERIES
Philip Anthony-Rodriguez (Miguel, Days)
Patricia Bethune (Mary, GH)
Wayne Brady (Dr. Buckingham, B&B)
Kate Mansi (Abigail, Days)
Thaao Penghlis (Andre, Days)
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES WRITING TEAM B&B Days GH Y&R
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES DIRECTING TEAM B&B Days GH Y&R
OUTSTANDING DRAMA SERIES CASTING Days GH Y&R
OUTSTANDING DIGITAL DAYTIME DRAMA After Forever The Bay The Series Giants The New 30 Youth & Consequences
Outstanding Game Show Host
John Michael Higgins, America Says
Alex Trebek, Jeopardy!
Wayne Brady, Let’s Make a Deal
Pat Sajak, Wh__l of Fortun_
Chris Harrison, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Outstanding Game Show Family Feud Jeopardy! Let’s Make a Deal The Price Is Right Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
The awards are set to take place on Sunday, May 5.
When it comes to Washington, D.C., and the ever-shifting racial statistics of its population… gentrification is always a topic of discussion. That’s not new. What is new is a report released this week about it. The report tells us in detail what many have long-suspected… that D.C. is the most gentrified city in America. How did this happen and what does it mean for the city’s residents?
Resources:
National Community Reinvestment Coalition Gentrification Report:
Mueller concludes Russia probe, delivers report to AG Barr
WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Robert Mueller on Friday turned over his long-awaited final report on the contentious Russia investigation that has cast a dark shadow over Donald Trump’s presidency, entangled Trump’s family and resulted in criminal charges against some of the president’s closest associates.
The comprehensive report, still confidential, marks the end of Mueller’s probe but sets the stage for big public fights to come. The next steps are up to Trump’s attorney general, to Congress and, in all likelihood, federal courts.
The Justice Department said Mueller delivered his final report to Attorney General William Barr and officially concluded his probe of Russian election interference and possible coordination with Trump associates. The report will now be reviewed by Barr, who has said he will write his own account communicating Mueller’s findings to Congress and the American public.
Barr said he could send his account to Congress quickly.
“I am reviewing the report and anticipate that I may be in a position to advise you of the special counsel’s principal conclusions as soon as this weekend,” Barr said in his letter the top Republicans and Democrats on the House and Senate Judiciary committees.
With no details released at this point, it’s not known whether Mueller’s report answers the core questions of his investigation: Did Trump’s campaign collude with the Kremlin to sway the 2016 presidential election in favor of the celebrity businessman? Also, did Trump take steps later, including by firing his FBI director, to obstruct the probe?
But the delivery of the report does mean the investigation has concluded without any public charges of a criminal conspiracy between the campaign and Russia, or of obstruction by the president.
It’s unclear what steps Mueller will take if he uncovered what he believes to be criminal wrongdoing by Trump, in light of Justice Department legal opinions that have held that sitting presidents may not be indicted.
The mere delivery of a confidential report will set off immediate demands, including in the Democratic-led House, for full release of Mueller’s findings. Barr has said he wants to make as much public as possible, and any efforts to withhold details will prompt a tussle between the Justice Department and lawmakers who may subpoena Mueller and his investigators to testify before Congress. Such a move by Democrats would likely be vigorously contested by the Trump administration.
The conclusion of Mueller’s investigation does not remove legal peril for the president. Trump faces a separate Justice Department investigation in New York into hush money payments during the campaign to two women who say they had sex with him years before the election. He’s also been implicated in a potential campaign finance violation by his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who says Trump asked him to arrange the transactions. Federal prosecutors, also in New York, have been investigating foreign contributions made to the president’s inaugural committee.
No matter the findings in Mueller’s report, the investigation has already illuminated Russia’s assault on the American political system, painted the Trump campaign as eager to exploit the release of hacked Democratic emails and exposed lies by Trump aides aimed at covering up their Russia-related contacts. Over the 21-month investigation, Mueller has brought charges against 34 people, including six aides and advisers to the president, and three companies.
The special counsel brought a sweeping indictment accusing Russian military intelligence officers of hacking Democrat Hillary Clinton’s campaign and other Democratic groups during the 2016 election. He charged another group of Russians with carrying out a large-scale social media disinformation campaign against the American political process that also sought to help Trump and hurt Clinton.
Closer to the president, Mueller secured convictions against a campaign chairman who cheated banks and dodged his taxes, a national security adviser who lied about his Russian contacts and a campaign aide who misled the FBI about his knowledge of stolen emails.
Cohen, the president’s former lawyer, pleaded guilty in New York to campaign finance violations arising from the hush money payments and in the Mueller probe to lying to Congress about a Moscow real estate deal. Another Trump confidant, Roger Stone, is awaiting trial on charges that he lied about his pursuit of Russian-hacked emails ultimately released by WikiLeaks. It’s unclear whether any of the aides who have been convicted, all of whom have pleaded guilty and cooperated with the investigators, might angle for a pardon. Trump has left open the idea of pardons.
Along the way, Trump lawyers and advisers repeatedly evolved their public defenses to deal with the onslaught of allegations from the investigation. Where once Trump and his aides had maintained that there were no connections between the campaign and Russia, by the end of the probe Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani was routinely making the argument that even if the two sides did collude, it wasn’t necessarily a crime. The goalpost shifting reflected the administration’s challenge in adopting a singular narrative to fend off allegations.
Equally central to Mueller’s work is his inquiry into whether the president tried to obstruct the investigation. Since the special counsel’s appointment in May 2017, Trump has increasingly tried to undermine the probe by calling it a “witch hunt” and repeatedly proclaiming there was “NO COLLUSION” with Russia. But Trump also took certain acts as president that caught Mueller’s attention and have been scrutinized for possible obstruction.
One week before Mueller’s appointment, Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, later saying he was thinking of “this Russia thing” at the time.
He mercilessly harangued Attorney General Jeff Sessions for recusing from the Russia investigation two months before Mueller was named special counsel, a move that left the president without a perceived loyalist atop the probe. And he helped draft a misleading statement on Air Force One as a Trump Tower meeting between his eldest son and a Kremlin-connected lawyer was about to become public.
The meeting itself became part of Mueller’s investigation, entangling Donald Trump Jr. in the probe. Mueller’s team also interviewed the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, multiple times.
Even as Trump blasted Mueller’s team, his White House and campaign produced thousands of documents for the special counsel, and dozens of his aides were interviewed. The president submitted written answers to Mueller regarding the Russia investigation, but he refused to be interviewed
Kelly’s Lawyer Back Off Request To Travel To Dubai. Speculation About Mueller’s Final Report Grows. Arrest Made In Threats Against Charlottesville High School.
Kelly’s Lawyer Back Off Request To Travel To Dubai
(Chicago, IL) — R. Kelly is going to have to stay put for at least a while longer. The R&B singer had to surrender his passport as a result of his bond agreement on sex abuse charges. His legal team has filed a request to allow Kelly to travel to Dubai for a series of performances next month. However, in a court hearing today in Cook County, Illinois, Kelly’s attorney asked a judge to delay his decision on the matter. Later, the attorney remarked that he wants to give the judge more information to make him more comfortable with allowing Kelly to travel.
Speculation About Mueller’s Final Report Grows
(Washington, DC) — Speculation about Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s [[ MULL-ers ]] final report is growing by the day. Attorney General Bill Barr was seen entering the West Wing of the White House yesterday but President Trump was not there. Trump was attending a business roundtable in DC. Mueller is obligated to submit his findings to Barr. Meantime, cable news networks ran pictures of Mueller driving to work yesterday. Mueller has not offered any hints about the status of his investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
Arrest Made In Threats Against Charlottesville High School
(Charlottesville, VA) — Charlottesville Police say they have arrested a 17-year-old in connection with an online threat that led city schools to close Thursday and today. An anonymous threat was posted online Wednesday and warned of “ethnic cleansing” at Charlottesville High School the next day. It used language to describe black and Latino students and told white students not to go to school. Police say the suspect has been charged with threats to commit serious bodily harm on school property and other charges. The shutdown kept more than four-thousand students in the district out of classes for two days.
Who will possibly be Senator Cory Booker’s First Lady?
Presidential democratic nominee Sen. Cory Booker might have a White House wedding in the works. On The Ellen Show, Booker confessed his love for his actress girlfriend Rosario Dawson. Dawson is known for her work in RENT, Seven Pounds and Sin City.
“She’s a deeply soulful person and has taught me a lot of lessons about love already and that sometimes you show the greatest strength when you make yourself vulnerable,” said Booker.
Booker hinted that he had a ‘boo’ on Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club. The world officially found out about their relationship after Dawson was ambushed by TMZ in Reagan National Airport in D.C.
“He’s a wonderful human being. It’s good to spend some time together when we can. We’re very busy,” Dawson told TMZ.
Booker mentioned that Dawson teaches him to “love more fearlessly” and has made him “more courageous.” Ellen DeGeneres and Booker joked about the possibility of having a White House wedding. He even asked her if she would help preside over the wedding.
Booker announced his entrance into the 2020 presidential race early last month. He is running to become the nation’s second black president under the Democratic party.
In the News at 10
A man posing as a Howard student is charged with raping 3 teens…
Officials release a new campaign to make 210 safer…
Police in Atlanta revisit the cold cases of 20 A.A’s kids murdered…
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A man posing as a Howard student is charged with raping 3 teens…
Prince George’s County Police following a tip from an anonymous letter have arrested a man who was posing as a Howard University student and raping young girls.
35-year-old Julian Everett is the person identified by police as the suspect wanted for raping three teens. Everett who owns a “U” Street barbers shop is accused of posing as a Howard University student on social media sites to meet young girls. According to police after connecting with the girls online he would then set up a date, give them a drink laced with something and then would allegedly take them to his home in New Carrolton where he would assault them.
Investigators say the attacks happened over the last 14 years. Two of the victims were Howard University students at the time. One was 18-years old in 2015 when she was raped. The other was 17-years-old when she was attacked in 2016. The third victim says she was only 16-years-old when raped by Everett.
Police believe there are more victims. A hotline has been set up for victims. The number to call is 301-772-4915.
Officials release a new campaign to make 210 safer…
This afternoon District 8 Prince George’s County Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker is planning to unveil the details of a new campaign to make busy and dangerous 210/ Indian Head Highway and other roads in the county safer.
The 1 pm press conference for #Driving it Home will be held at Oxon Hill High School. Other council members, State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy, Prince George’s County Fire Chief Benjamin Barksdale and others will be in attendance.
Police in Atlanta revisit the cold cases of 20 A.A’s kids murdered…
Atlanta Police along with the Mayor of Atlanta Keisha Lance Bottoms have announced the creation of a task force to look into a string of murders of children that went unsolved between 1979 and 1981.
The killing spree involved 28 African American children and adults. Their murders gripped residents in the South and headlines nationally. The person believed to have been the killer Wayne Williams was arrested and charged for killing two adults. He was 23-years-old at the time and is serving a life sentence for the crimes. No one however, was ever charged with the murders of the dozens of African American children.
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In an Instagram video that doesn’t refer to Smollett by name, Daniels says since “the incident” he and his cast have “experienced pain and anger and sadness and frustration and really don’t know how to deal with it.”
LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Empire” co-creator and executive producer Lee Daniels says the weeks since cast member Jussie Smollett was arrested and charged with fabricating a racist and homophobic attack have been “a freakin’ rollercoaster.”
In an Instagram video that doesn’t refer to Smollett by name, Daniels says since “the incident” he and his cast have “experienced pain and anger and sadness and frustration and really don’t know how to deal with it.”
Daniels had been among the first to voice his support for Smollett after he made the report in January.
Daniels says the situation nearly made him forget to tell audiences that the Fox drama returns to the air Wednesday. Daniels and other producers removed Smollett’s character from the season’s final episodes after his arrest in Chicago.
“OWN is home,” said DuVernay. “I’m honored to create television for a network headed by an artist with spectacular vision and unbridled passion for the stories that we want to tell.”
Award-winning director Ava DuVernay has a brand new series in the making. The upcoming series is entitled Cherish the Day and will be an anthology. She will be alongside Oprah Winfrey in producing this show.
DuVernay currently has a show on OWN’s network, Queen Sugar, also produced by Winfrey. The dynamic duo are not strangers in working together and continue to provide their audience with stories that matter.
Each season, the anthology series chronicles the romance of one couple, with each episode spanning a single day. The season-long narrative will reveal significant moments in a relationship that compel people to hold true to the ones they love, from the extraordinary to the everyday.
“OWN is home,” said DuVernay. “I’m honored to create television for a network headed by an artist with spectacular vision and unbridled passion for the stories that we want to tell.”
Cherish the Day is produced for OWN by Forward Movement and Harpo Films in association with Warner Horizon Scripted Television
Winfrey added in an interview, “Ava is a visionary storyteller. She brings so much care, so much heart, so much love to the art she creates. I’m excited to continue collaborating together with our very first anthology series for OWN.”
DC City officials have announced that they will be giving out 76,000 life-saving naloxone kits for Opioid overdoses. Leaders plan to buy another 10,000 kits in the coming months. The kits will be given out by police and health organizations by September 30.
Police are looking for the person or people who dropped off a gunshot victim Wednesday morning. Investigators say the male victim was left at the Prince George’s Hospital Center around 12:40.
Three of the five Duval High School students involved in a car accident yesterday remain in grave condition. The seniors were in a car headed back to school after lunch. According to police reports, a vehicle pulling out of a driveway on Good Luck Road hit them. The three in the backseat were partially ejected from the Nissan. Police say none of the students were wearing seat belts.
The Government watchdog group Public Citizen says private donations to elected officials in DC for residents in need are not going to them. The money goes into an account known as a Constituent Services Funds. The money given is supposed to be used for residents in emergency situations in need of help to pay a light bill, funeral services etc..
The person in charge of auditing government programs, Kathleen Patterson does not agree with Mayor Muriel Bowsers budget proposal for the city.
The impacts of the police involved shooting death of unarmed 17-year-old Antwon Rose promoted hundreds of students in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to walk out of school.
There has been a fatal police shooting in Thurmont, Maryland. Officers were called to a home on Sandy Springs Lane around 1:30 this morning. The call was concerning a person with a gun outside of the home.
One person has been shot after a dispute by a resident and some people sitting inside of a car in the 800 block of Crittenden Street in Northeast.
This afternoon District 8 Prince George’s County Council Member Monique Anderson-Walker is planning to unveil the details of a new campaign to make busy and dangerous 210/ Indian Head Highway and other roads in the county safer.
Atlanta Police along with the Mayor of Atlanta Keisha Lance Bottoms have announced the creation of a task force to look into a string of murders of children that went unsolved between 1979 and 1981.
