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Woman Buys Out Closing Shoe Store For Nebraska Flood Victims

The retail price of the shoes would have been more than $6,000.

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HAYS, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas woman donated 204 pairs of shoes to Nebraska flood victims after buying everything that was left at a closing Payless store.

The Hays Post reports the shoes were part of a flood relief shipment taken to farmers in Nebraska by Fort Hays State’s agriculture sorority, Sigma Alpha, during the weekend.

A graduate of Fort Hays State, Addy Tritt, said she wanted to help others because so many people have helped her in the past.

When the price at a Hays store dropped to $1 per pair, Tritt negotiated with the business to buy the remaining shoes for $100.

They included 162 pairs of baby shoes and two pairs of men’s shoes. The rest were women’s shoes.

The retail price of the shoes would have been more than $6,000.

The Latest: Baltimore Councilman Calls On Mayor Pugh To Resign

Councilman Zeke Cohen says Pugh has “lost the moral mandate to govern and the public’s trust.” Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot has also urged her to resign. Cohen, Franchot and Pugh are Democrats.

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BALTIMORE (AP) — The Latest on revelations about Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh’s lucrative deals to sell her self-published children’s books (all times local):

5:35 p.m.

At least one Baltimore City Council member is calling for Mayor Catherine Pugh to resign as a scandal intensifies over allegations of “self-dealing” arrangements to sell her children’s book series.

Councilman Zeke Cohen says Pugh has “lost the moral mandate to govern and the public’s trust.” Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot has also urged her to resign. Cohen, Franchot and Pugh are Democrats.

Cohen notes that Pugh accepted over $100,000 from Kaiser Permanente for her “Healthy Holly” children’s books while the company was seeking a contract to provide health benefits to city employees.

Cohen says that instead of recusing herself from a Board of Estimates vote when the contract came up “she voted in favor of it.”

Pugh announced Monday she is taking an indefinite leave of absence due to deteriorating health. Her spokespeople say she was recently diagnosed with pneumonia.

DC Leaders Launch A Distracted Driving Campaign, DC Mayor Announces A New Tool In The Fight Against Opioid Overdose Deaths

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DC leaders launch a distracted driving campaign…
DC Mayor announces a new tool in the fight against Opioid overdose deaths…

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DC leaders launch a distracted driving campaign…

DC City Officials and AAA Mid Atlantic are teaming up today to kick off a campaign about distracted driving. It is in conjunction with April being National Distracted Driving Month.

Metropolitan Police and DDOT spokespeople will be on hand for an 11 am press conference where they will discuss the dangers and consequences of being distracted by texting or from alcohol. Today’s news conference will be held near 14th and “U” Streets in Northwest.

The discussion is expected to include how MPD will enforce distracted driving laws. Mayor Muriel Bowser will also speak and she will talk about her Vision Zero plan.

DC Mayor announces a new tool in the fight against Opioid overdose deaths…

There is a new tool in the fight against Opioid deaths in the District of Columbia. Today, DC Mayor Muriel Bower will announce that DC Police Officers and members of the Narcotics and Special Investigation Divisions will have the life-saving Naloxone with them. The medicine will be stored on the outside of their vest.

It’s a big move because often time police officers are the first person on the scene of a possible drug overdose. In 2017, the District had 279 deaths related to Opioid overdoses. Advocates say this change will save lives. If you want to find out more about the District’s strategic plan to reduce the number of Opioid usage and deaths you can read “Live.Long.DC”

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

Lauren London Breaks Her Silence On Nipsey Hussle: ‘I’m Lost Without You’

Actress Lauren London posted a solo picture of Hussle along with other images that included her, the rapper and their family on her Instagram account Tuesday. She captioned her photos writing: “I’m lost without you.”

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on the killing of rapper Nipsey Hussle outside his clothing store in Los Angeles (all times local):

5:30 p.m.

The fiancee of Nipsey Hussle has broken her silence posting a tribute to the rapper on social media a couple days after he was fatally shot outside his clothing store in South Los Angeles.

Actress Lauren London posted a solo picture of Hussle along with other images that included her, the rapper and their family on her Instagram account Tuesday. She captioned her photos writing: “I’m lost without you.”

The 34-year-old London shared a photo of her smiling and hugging Hussle. Another photo showed the rapper raising their 2-year-old son in the air along with a selfie photo of the father and his son.

London’s tribute comes hours after 29-year-old suspect Eric Holder was arrested in the shooting death of Hussle on Sunday.

London’s representative did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment.

Newly Elected Chicago Mayor: Victory Means ‘A City Reborn’

“Out there tonight a lot of little girls and boys are watching. They’re watching us, and they’re seeing the beginning of something, well, a little bit different,” Lightfoot told a jubilant crowd at a downtown hotel. “They’re seeing a city reborn.”

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CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot’s resounding victory was a clear call for change at City Hall and a historic repudiation of the old-style, insider politics that have long defined the nation’s third-largest city.

Lightfoot, a former federal prosecutor who’d never been elected to public office, defeated Cook County Board President and longtime City Council member Toni Preckwinkle on Tuesday with backing from voters across the city. Late results showed Lightfoot, 56, winning every one of the city’s 50 wards.

Lightfoot also made history, becoming the first black woman and the first openly gay person to be elected Chicago mayor. Chicago will become the largest U.S. city to have a black woman serve as mayor when Lightfoot is sworn in May 20. She will join seven other black women currently serving as mayors in major U.S. cities, including Atlanta and New Orleans, and will be the second woman to lead Chicago.

“Out there tonight a lot of little girls and boys are watching. They’re watching us, and they’re seeing the beginning of something, well, a little bit different,” Lightfoot told a jubilant crowd at a downtown hotel. “They’re seeing a city reborn.”

She pledged to make Chicago “a place where your zip code doesn’t determine your destiny,” to address the city’s violence and to “break this city’s endless cycle of corruption” that allows politicians to profit from their office.

Lightfoot emerged as the surprising leader in the first round of voting in February when 14 candidates were on the ballot to succeed Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who decided against running for a third term.

She seized on outrage over a white police officer’s fatal shooting of black teenager Laquan McDonald to launch her reformer campaign. She got in the race even before Emanuel announced he wouldn’t seek re-election amid criticism for initially resisting calls to release video of the shooting.

Joyce Ross, 64, a resident of the city’s predominantly black West Side who is a certified nursing assistant, cast her ballot Tuesday for Lightfoot. Ross said she believes Lightfoot will be better able to clean up the police department and curb the city’s violence.

She was also bothered by Preckwinkle’s association with longtime Alderman Ed Burke, who was indicted earlier this year on charges he tried to shake down a restaurant owner who wanted to build in his ward.

“My momma always said birds of a feather flock together,” Ross said.

Preckwinkle said she called Lightfoot Tuesday night to congratulate her on a “hard-fought campaign.”

“While I may be disappointed I’m not disheartened. For one thing, this is clearly a historic night,” she told a crowd gathered in her South Side neighborhood. “Not long ago two African American women vying for this position would have been unthinkable. And while it may be true that we took two very different paths to get here, tonight is about the path forward.”

That path will have major challenges. Chicago has been losing population, particularly in predominantly African American neighborhoods hit hardest by violence and a lack of jobs.

The new mayor will take over a city that faces massive financial problems. She will have just a few months to prepare a new budget, which in 2020 is expected to have a roughly $250 million deficit. Lightfoot also will take over the worst-funded public pensions of any major U.S. city. Chicago’s annual payments to the retirement systems are slated to grow by $1.2 billion by 2023.

She has expressed support for a casino in Chicago and changing the state’s income tax system to a graduated tax, in which higher earners are taxed at a higher rate — two measures lawmakers have tried for unsuccessfully for years to pass.

Violence and policing will also continue to be an issue, and one that has proven to be politically difficult.

The Chicago Police Department must implement a federally monitored consent decree approved in January. It followed the McDonald killing and a U.S. Justice Department review that found a long history of excessive use of force and racial bias by officers.

While voters also elected several newcomers over City Council veterans, Lightfoot will have to work with a council that has a sizable number of members who are the type of politicians she railed against during her campaign.

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Associated Press reporter Don Babwin contributed.

 

Your Finances and Your Retirement

Starting and improving your finances and retirement plan.

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How much do you really know about your finances?  Do you have enough to retire on?  How do you know?  Those are just a few of many questions you should ask yourself… starting right now.  April is Financial Literacy Month and there’s no present… like taking the time to get your finances together today and the future.

Resources:

Deborah Owens America’s Wealth Coach: https://deborahowens.com/

 Association of African American Financial Advisors:   https://www.aaafainc.com/

Deborah Owens, Wealth Coach and Financial Advisor

Suspect In Nipsey Hussle Murder Caught

Nipsey Hussle Murder Suspect Caught

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Nipsey Hussle Murder Suspect Caught

(Los Angeles, CA) — CBS Los Angeles is reporting the suspect in the shooting death of rapper Nipsey Hussle has been captured. Today, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti confirmed police identified 29-year-old Eric Holder as the main suspect. Hussle was gunned down over the weekend in South L.A. outside his clothing store.

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Ernie Grunfeld Fired As President Of The Washington Wizards, Baltimore Has A New Acting Mayor

Ernie Grunfeld Fired As President Of The Washington Wizards. Baltimore Has A New Acting Mayor. A Step Closer To Election History In Chicago

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Washington Wizard’s President Fired

Ernie Grunfeld has been fired as president of the Washington Wizards after 16 seasons in charge of the team.  The Wizards announced his dismissal on Tuesday with four games left in a disappointing, no-playoffs season. Washington is 32-46 and in 11th place in the 15-team Eastern Conference.  The club went 568-724 during Grunfeld’s tenure with eight postseason appearances. But Washington never made it past the second round of the playoffs.  Owner Ted Leonsis said the Wizards “did not meet our stated goals of qualifying for the playoffs.” He also noted that the team dealt with “injuries to several key players” — most notably, John Wall.  Tommy Sheppard will take over Grunfeld’s duties for now and will be a candidate to replace him permanently.

Baltimore Has A New Acting Mayor

Baltimore’s acting mayor told legislators Tuesday that the city “is in good hands” until the mayor decides whether to return after abruptly announcing a leave of absence to “focus on her health” amid a political scandal about “self-dealing” book sales.

Mayor Catherine Pugh stepped away Monday, the same day Maryland’s Republican governor asked the state prosecutor to investigate her no-bid book deals, including $500,000 in sales to the University of Maryland Medical System.

After meeting with the city’s state Senate delegation and House delegation chair in Annapolis, acting Mayor Jack Young emphasized that he would act only as a “placeholder” for the embattled mayor and plans to run for City Council president again.

“You know, I’ve been doing this for the last 21 years, making the wheels turn, and it’s going to continue to turn,” he said.

Sen. Antonio Hayes, a Baltimore Democrat, described the circumstances as “frustrating as hell” in the last week of the state’s legislative session, as Baltimore officials often have to overcome tough images and a negative narrative attached to Maryland’s largest city, which struggles with violent crime.

“I hope that she’s doing some real soul searching,” fellow Democratic Sen. Bill Ferguson said of Pugh. “This is such a distraction from where we need to be and the issues that we should be focused on.”

The Baltimore Sun reports Pugh repeatedly sponsored legislation during her time as a Maryland state senator that would’ve benefited the University of Maryland Medical System, which paid Pugh $500,000 for 100,000 copies of her self-published “Healthy Holly” children’s books.

Between 2011 and 2016, Pugh sponsored and co-sponsored several bills that would’ve benefited the system where she was a board member.

In eight bills, Pugh sought to make suing doctors and hospitals for big judgments through malpractice claims harder and to reduce the financial impact of malpractice lawsuits. Those measures — and bills she sponsored to expand the kinds of bonuses insurers can pay health care professionals — were not successful. But the legislature did pass three of Pugh’s bills that allowed tele-medicine expansion, a potentially lucrative change.

A Step Closer To Election History In Chicago

Chicago voters will vote today for their first African American female mayor. Either former federal prosecutor Lori Lightfoot or Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle will replace incumbent Rahm Emanuel on City Hall’s fifth floor. If Lightfoot wins, Chicago would also elect an openly gay mayor. The last African American mayor of Chicago was Harold Washington who was re-elected in 1987 before dying in office that same year. Jane Byrne was the last female leader of the city when she served one term from 1979 to 1983.

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Gabrielle Union, Tracee Elliss Ross And Uzo Aduba Are Amongst Many Against Georgia’s Abortion Ban

Hollywood’s women of color are coming together to protest Georgia’s Abortion Bill.

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ATLANTA (AP) — Bucking intense opposition from abortion rights groups, citizens, physicians groups and even Hollywood celebrities, Georgia lawmakers gave final approval Friday to a “heartbeat” abortion ban that would outlaw most abortions in the state.

The proposal now heads to the desk of Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who backs it. If enacted, it would be among the strictest abortion bans in the U.S.

The measure was approved by 92 votes, just one vote more than the majority needed to pass out of the 180-member House.

Just after the vote, a tense situation erupted when law enforcement confronted several Democratic lawmakers and protesters speaking against the bill in the halls of the Capitol. Officers threatened to arrest people if a crowd didn’t disperse and stop chanting “shame”.

Georgia joins a string of GOP-controlled states moving to enact strict abortion bans, with the ultimate goal of getting a case in front of the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge its 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. The push comes amid rising optimism among conservatives that the restrictions might prevail in the reconfigured high court that includes President Donald Trump appointees Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.

Women in Georgia can currently seek an abortion during the first 20 weeks of a pregnancy. A heartbeat can be detected in an embryo as early as six weeks, before many women know they are pregnant.

 

Reports: Wendy Williams And Husband Kevin Hunter To Separate After 22 Years of Marriage

According to Page Six, Wendy Williams and Kevin Hunter are seeking separation after 22 years of marriage. 

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Contributed by Taylor Ardrey

According to Page Six, Wendy Williams and her husband, Kevin Hunter, are seeking separation after 22 years of marriage.

After years of marriage and a son, 19-year-old Kevin Jr., the couple is planning to separate ways after years of reported infidelity and drama in their marriage.

Recent unconfirmed reports claim Hunter allegedly fathered a child with his alleged mistress of 10 years, Sharina Hudson.

RELATED: Wendy William’s Husband’s Alleged Mistress Gives Birth To Baby Girl

Williams and Hunter are business partners. He remains her manager and partner in Wendy Williams Productions.

A source told PageSix:

There is a discussion about what happens now — everyone is asking, ‘How can they possibly stay together?’ Wendy still loves Kevin, but her health is at stake.”

Williams has been battling complications from Graves’ disease and substance abuse. She is currently living in a sober house in Queens.

RELATED: Wendy Williams Is Living In A ‘Sober House’

Williams is currently taking a previously scheduled hiatus from her daytime talk show. Let’s continue to keep Wendy Williams in our thoughts and prayers.

 

 

Nick Cannon To Complete Nipsey Hussle’s Documentary On Dr. Sebi

Nick Cannon vows to continue Nipsey Hussle’s mission. “Can’t Kill Us ALL!!!#Fearless #Marathon #SpiritualWarfare” said Cannon. 

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Contributed by Taylor Ardrey

It’s the news that has shocked the nation and even the world! Grammy-nominated hip hop artist and activist Nipsey Hussle was shot six times outside his Marathon clothing store in Hyde Park Sunday.

Prior to his death, Nipsey Hussle had several projects in the works including a documentary based on the works and medical accomplishments of holistic Dr. Sebi.

Many celebrities like Diddy, Kendrick Lamar and Snoop Dogg paid tribute to the rapper following his death. Nick Cannon took it a step further and vowed to continue the slain rapper’s mission.

Nick Cannon expressed his gratitude via Instagram:

And the Lord said, “Job well done my son..” @nipseyhussle King this is how I want to remember you! Laughing! Smiling! I ain’t slept yet, thinking about our conversations! Real ones from a real one! And I’m gonna say this only for the real ones to recognize. Where you left off, we gonna carry one! It’s a MARATHON, so I’m picking up the baton! Because they can’t kill us all! Spiritual Warfare is REAL and in full effect. And now your Spirit is protecting your community eternally! Your words, your steps, your walk always was and always will be SOLID! Now, Your message is my message! Your work is my work! I know you still rocking with us and your voice will never be silenced, because to be absent from the body is to be present with the Most High! So now that you are at Peace don’t Rest… Keep leading… Keep Shining King! Cosmic Love My Brotha! 🙏🏾✊🏾

Although authorities have announced that this is a gang-related shooting, many people on social media speculated on conspiracy theories regarding the rapper. Some thought he was killed due to information he planned to share to shed light on the late Dr. Sebi and his medical findings.

Despite the speculation, Cannon continued to share snippets of Dr. Sebi on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvtm8VnBknw/

“Can’t Kill Us ALL!!!#Fearless #Marathon #SpiritualWarfare✊🏾” said Cannon.

Dr. Sebi claimed to have discovered a cure for AIDS, herpes and diabetes without modern medicine. He died in 2016 at the age of 82. Followers of the doctor feel the circumstances surrounding his death are suspicious.

Is It Possible? Burger King Announces ‘Meatless’ Burger

Impossible Foods is adding Burger King to their list of partnerships to launch their non meat burgers to the world. ‘The Impossible Whopper’ is an alternative to Burger King’s classic Whopper beef burger by using plant-based substitutes.

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Contributed by Taylor Ardrey

Calling all those in the plant-based community! Impossible Foods have made their way into major fast food chain Burger King with their new Impossible Whopper.

Impossible Foods is adding Burger King to their list of partnerships to launch their non meat burgers to the world. ‘The Impossible Whopper’ is an alternative to Burger King’s classic Whopper beef burger by using plant-based substitutes. The Impossible Whopper is meant to replicate the beef taste of the original Whopper sandwich except without the beef. It will include all the original works; sesame seed bun, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, mayo and ketchup.

Burger King lovers in St. Louis, Missouri were the first to try these new vegan burgers. According to The New York Times, “Burger King is initially making the Impossible Whopper available at 59 restaurants in the St. Louis area. Mr. Machado said the company had plans to quickly expand it to every branch in the country if everything in St. Louis goes smoothly.”

So how does Impossible Foods execute the meat taste without using actual beef? They use an iron-rich protein called heme. Heme with a mixture of roots from soybean plants gives the patty the real meaty look.

Many loyal Burger King customers are excited about this new addition to the menu, however serving it on a national level is still in the works. Would you like Burger King in the DMV to sell Impossible Burgers?

 

 

 

Community’s Choice Week of March 31st 2019

DC Emancipation Day Parade and Concert, Delta Sigma Theta Scholarship Brunch, Howard University Education Job Fair, and OSSE College Completion Fair. Details on these events and more inside of this week’s Community’s Choice. To get your non-profit on the air and web, email me at rnash@whur.com at least three weeks prior to your event.

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 HU Education Job Fair

The 12th Annual Howard University Job Fair for Educators is April 18th at Banneker Academic High School in NW. www.howard.edu

Zeta Phi Beta

Prom bound high school seniors are invited to join the ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority for their 2019 Prom Dress Giveaway April 6th at the Kettering Community Center. Projectfiner2019@gmail.com

Sisters4Fitness Run/Walk

Grab your sneakers and join Sisters 4 Fitness for its 4th Annual 5k Run/Walk April 27th at Bowie Town Center Fountain. www.sisters4fitness.com

Delta Sigma Theta Scholarship Brunch

Get ready for a swinging good time. Join the Annapolis Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta for its Roaring Twenties Jazz Scholarship Brunch April 28th. www.annapolisalumnaedst.org

AKA Global Impact Day Forum

The Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is hosting its National Global Impact Day Forum April 12th at the Xi Omega Chapter Center in NW. www.akaaxo.org

OSSE College Completion Fair

Get your education back on track.   Come out April 6th for the Annual Adult College Completion Fair hosted by the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education. www.osse.dc.gov

DC Emancipation Day

The 2019 DC Emancipation Day Parade and Concert is April 13th at Freedom Plaza. www.emancipation.dc.gov

DC CapiTAL Stars Talent Competition

The D-C Capital Stars Talent Competition for college scholarships is April 10th at the Kennedy Center. www.dccaporg

 

 

 

TV Host Deborah Norville Will Have Cancerous Nodule Removed

The 60-year-old host says in a video a viewer reached out a long time ago and told her she had seen a lump on her neck. Norville says she had it checked out and a doctor said it was a thyroid nodule.

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Inside Edition” anchor Deborah Norville will undergo surgery to remove a cancerous thyroid nodule from her neck.

The 60-year-old host says in a video a viewer reached out a long time ago and told her she had seen a lump on her neck. Norville says she had it checked out and a doctor said it was a thyroid nodule.

Norville says it was nothing until recently, when the doctor said it was a “very localized form of cancer.” Norville says she will not need chemotherapy.

She asked viewers to pray for her and her surgeon.

 

Security Increased At Kenmoor Middle School, The City of Chicago Is Set To Make History Today…

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Security increased at Kenmoor Middle School…
Fire breaks out at a hi-rise condo in Kensington…

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Security increased at Kenmoor Middle School…

School officials in Prince George’s County have decided to step up security at Kenmoor Middle School in Landover, Maryland. The decision follows a busy day on Monday. At one point students and staff were evacuated because of the smell of gas. Later the school was placed on lock down.

The lock down followed the discovery of a backpack with an empty gun case and ammunition found behind the school. Police were called and the inside and outside of the school was searched. Investigators say no weapons were found. They also were unable to locate the owner of the unattended book bag. The search for that person continues.

Fire breaks out at a hi-rise condo in Kensington…

Montgomery County Fire Fighters have put out a big fire at a condominium in Kensington, Maryland. The three-alarm fire this morning happened at the Waterford Condominiums on University Boulevard.

The blaze started on the 9th floor. No word on what sparked the fire. There are also no reports of any injuries.

Chicago is set to make history today…

The city of Chicago is set to make history today. Voters will cast their ballots for a new mayor. Today’s runoff mayoral race is between two African American women. Lori Lightfoot and Toni Preckwinkle. The winner will become the cities first elected African American woman to the position. Lightfoot is she wins will also be the first openly gay person elected to the position.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

Amid Legal Troubles, Avenatti Scrutinized For R. Kelly Role

The singer’s lead attorney, Steve Greenberg, said in comments to reporters and a court filing that Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx relied way too much on Avenatti in deciding in late February to bring charges against Kelly, saying Avenatti’s involvement irreparably tainted the case.

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CHICAGO (AP) — A lawyer defending R. Kelly said Monday that the prosecution’s sex-abuse case against the R&B singer had been marred by the involvement of attorney Michael Avenatti, who faces extortion charges in New York and embezzlement charges in California.

The singer’s lead attorney, Steve Greenberg, said in comments to reporters and a court filing that Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx relied way too much on Avenatti in deciding in late February to bring charges against Kelly, saying Avenatti’s involvement irreparably tainted the case.

There was, Greenberg told reporters after a brief pretrial hearing, “a rush to prosecute because of pressure — all polluted — by Michael Avenatti,” who gained national fame by filing an ultimately failed lawsuit against President Donald Trump on behalf of porn star Stormy Daniels.

Greenberg went into detail in a seven-page court filing Monday, saying Avenatti has appeared to take on the mantel of “a de facto prosecutor” in the Kelly case.

“Given the allegations against (Avenatti) one must wonder what he has told those he has interacted with in these matters, and what is true and what is not,” the filing says.

Avenatti, who represents two Kelly accusers, has said a video he gave prosecutors in mid-February purporting to show Kelly having sex with a minor was key in Foxx’s decision to seek charges, something her office hasn’t disputed. Avenatti also met with prosecutors at least twice before indictments accused Kelly of abusing three girls and one woman.

Criticism over Foxx’s handling of the Jussie Smollett case also makes her more vulnerable to the kinds of accusations leveled by Kelly’s attorney Monday.

Last week, prosecutors dropped all charges against the “Empire” actor that accused him of staging a racist, anti-gay attack. Foxx and her staff offered often contradictory, muddled accounts for their logic behind the sudden dismissal of the case.

A Foxx spokeswoman declined comment on Greenberg’s comments. Prosecutors said in a brief filing Monday that Greenberg’s “accusations and speculation” were “lacking in factual support.”

Avenatti is accused in California of fraudulently obtaining $4 million in bank loans and pocketing $1.6 million that belonged to a client. Federal prosecutors in New York allege that Avenatti tried to shake down Nike for millions of dollars so he wouldn’t reveal allegations the apparel company paid off high school basketball players.

Greenberg’s Monday filings asks the judge in his case for an order that all communications between Avenatti and the state’s attorney’s office be preserved as possible evidence of inappropriate coordination and communication leading up to charges. Judge Lawrence Flood said he’d rule on the request later.

Avenatti shot back in a series of tweets later Monday, accusing Greenberg of “trying to distract attention away from the clear guilt of his client by raising bogus arguments about me and Kim Foxx.”

“There was never anything improper about our involvement in the case and we are going to continue to press forward,” Avenatti said.

Greenberg and Avanetti have hurled insults at each other on Twitter for weeks. After Avenatti’s arrest last week on the New York charges, Greenberg offered his legal services in a wry tweet: “I hear he needs a good lawyer.”

Just hours after Avenatti’s arrest last week, Greenberg also tweeted references to the New York federal complaint in which Avenatti mentions Kelly to Nike executives in a secret recording. He’d go public with damaging information if they didn’t pay up, and emails and texts would pour in claiming the sportswear giant of wrongdoing, Avenatti allegedly said.

“It’s always (BS) 90 percent of the time, always, whether it’s R. Kelly or Trump,” Avenatti said, according to the complaint. “But 10 percent of it is actually going to be true, and then what’s going to happen is that this is going to snowball.”

Avenatti denied any wrongdoing after his release from custody last week, declaring he’d be fully exonerated.

Among the questions that must be answered, Greenberg said in his Monday motion, is whether Avenatti influenced his clients in ways to improve the odds of charges against Kelly. He said the accusations of one accuser — an Avenatti client — was investigated around 2002 and prosecutors decided not to prosecute.

“The case laid dormant till Mr. Avenatti joined in,” Greenberg said in his motion. “Then it miraculously was resurrected, although nothing had changed” over more than 15 years.

Greenberg said Avenatti’s interest in the Kelly case corresponds with his own legal and professional problems, including his falling out with Daniels.

“He drums up problems for others to deflect from his own,” Greenberg said.

The motion also says Foxx has demonstrated bias against Kelly, including by mentioning her own experience as a victim of abuse and by characterizing the allegations before Kelly was ever charged. He said that “creates the appearance of bias and an understandable willingness, desire and propensity to rush to judgment in prosecuting.”

The motion also mentions Foxx’s recusal in the Smollett case after she spoke to a member of Smollett’s family and before charges were filed and dropped.

“Plainly, this particular State’s Attorney is able to be influenced and wowed, as evidenced by the facts of her recusal and the subsequent series of events in the Jussie Smollett case,” it says.

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Follow Michael Tarm on Twitter at http://twitter.com/mtarm

Los Angeles Police Identify Suspect In Nipsey Hussle Slaying

Los Angeles police Chief Michel Moore has scheduled a briefing Tuesday morning in which he will discuss how detectives came to identify Eric Holder as the man suspected of killing Hussle Sunday afternoon and wounding two others. No additional details, other than that Holder is suspected of fleeing in a 2016 Chevy Cruze with the license plate 7RJD742, have been released.

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles police are seeking a 29-year-old man who they believe shot and killed Nipsey Hussle outside the rapper’s clothing store where he was trying to remake his community.

Los Angeles police Chief Michel Moore has scheduled a briefing Tuesday morning in which he will discuss how detectives came to identify Eric Holder as the man suspected of killing Hussle Sunday afternoon and wounding two others. No additional details, other than that Holder is suspected of fleeing in a 2016 Chevy Cruze with the license plate 7RJD742, have been released.

Moore also plans to discuss a wider upsurge of violent crime in the city Tuesday morning. The press conference was scheduled before Holder was identified as a suspect. It will be held hours after a disturbance at a memorial for Hussle Monday night left at least 19 people injured, including two people taken to local hospitals in critical condition.

Dozens of police officers cleared the memorial site after a fight apparently broke out and a stampede ensued.

At least one of the critically-injured persons was struck by a car and the other one had a “penetrating injury,” although it’s unclear whether that person was stabbed or cut by broken glass, a fire department spokeswoman said. Two other injuries were serious and 15 were considered non-life threatening.

The incident occurred after hundreds of people gathered for a candlelight vigil outside Hussle’s The Marathon clothing store.

Hussle, who joined the gang Rollin 60′s Neighborhood Crips as a teenager, had planned to meet with Moore and the city’s police commission president on Monday to discuss preventing gang violence.

An autopsy completed Monday showed that Hussle, 33, died after being shot in the head and torso. The rapper, whose real name was Ermias Asghedom, had recently purchased the strip mall where the shop is located and planned to redevelop it into a mixed-use commercial and residential complex.

The plan was part of Hussle’s broader ambitions to remake the neighborhood where he grew up and attempt to break the cycle of gang life that lured him in when he was younger.

The Marathon store on Monday was a gathering point for those grieving Hussle, with mourners leaving candles, flowers, balloons and other items to pay their respects.

Some passersby blared Hussle’s music, which included hits “The Weather,” ″Double Up” and “Hussle & Motivate.”

Dontae Coleman, 28, who lives in the neighborhood, fell to his knees and cried and called Hussle “a legend.”

“Someone changed history yesterday,” he said, referring to the gunman.

Coleman commended the rapper for trying to uplift his own community first instead of simply going elsewhere.

“A lot of people who get rich don’t come back here,” he said. “He’s rare. A lot of people like him don’t come around often.”

Denise Francis Woods, a neighborhood resident who is running for City Council, remembered when Hussle used to sell his demo tapes on street corners in the neighborhood for $5.

“People would tease him,” she said. “They didn’t think that this would work out and look what happened. He persevered, he stayed in, he never gave up.” The effort took him to a whole other level “where he ended up owning property on the same corner.”

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AP Entertainment Writer Jonathan Landrum Jr. contributed to this report.

Conversation with Prince George’s County Police Chief Hank Stawinksi

Prince George’s County Police Chief Hank Stawinski discusses law, order and public safety issues.

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Prince George’s County Police Chief Hank Stawinksi shares updates about the DuVal High School car accident, the Julian Everett sex assault case and other public safety issues in the community.

Phone number to call to share information about the Julian Everett case with the Prince George’s County Police: 301-772-4915

Hank Stawinski, Chief, Prince George’s County Police Department

Hogan Asks For Investigation Into Healthy Holly Deal, Report: Damascus High Officials Waited To Tell Authorities Of Rape

Hogan Asks For Investigation Into Healthy Holly Deal. Report: Damascus High Officials Waited To Tell Authorities Of Rape. : White House Overruled 25 Denials Of Security Clearances. Biden Releases Statement About Allegations Of Inappropriate Conduct.

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Hogan Asks For Investigation Into Healthy Holly Deal

(Baltimore, MD) — Governor Larry Hogan is asking the state prosecutor to investigate Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh’s sale of children’s books to the University of Maryland Medical Center while she was a board member. In a letter to the state prosecutor, Hogan called the allegations disturbing, saying he’s concerned about the UMMS sale “because it has significant continuing ties with the state and receives very substantial public funding.” Pugh reportedly sold 500-thousand dollars worth of her “Healthy Holly” children’s book series to UMMS. She has since resigned from the board. Today, Kaiser Permanante said it too bought more than 100-thousand dollars worth of the books from Pugh from 2015 through 2018. Comptroller Pete Franchot called for her resignation following that news today.

Report: Damascus High Officials Waited To Tell Authorities Of Rape

(Damascus, MD) — A new report claims Damascus High School officials waited more than 12 hours to tell authorities about allegations of rape involving several J-V football players. The Washington Post reports that school officials discussed the incident and launched their own investigation before reaching out to the Montgomery County Police Department. The Post reports none of the victims were sent to receive medical care after the locker room attack, and their parents weren’t notified at the time either. Four teens are being prosecuted as juveniles on charges of rape and attempted rape on October 31st 2018. The teens are accused of assaulting several teammates with a broomstick.

Whistleblower: White House Overruled 25 Denials Of Security Clearances

(Washington, DC) — Whistleblowers at the White House say the Trump administration has overruled 25 denials of security clearances. Veteran security specialist Tricia Newbold told the House Oversight Committee that the administration’s actions could jeopardize national security. The committee has been pushing for the White House to provide and explanation as to why Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, was provided high-level clearance after it was originally rejected.

Biden Releases Statement About Allegations Of Inappropriate Conduct

Former Vice President Joe Biden is denying allegations of inappropriate conduct at a 2014 campaign event. Biden released a statement saying he does not believe he has ever acted inappropriately, but says he will still listen respectfully to any claims that he did. Biden says he doesn’t recall events unfolding the same way Nevada Democrat Lucy Flores describes them, but says it’s an important time for women when they “feel the can and should relate their experiences, and men should pay attention.” Biden says he will remain a strong advocate for women.

‘Heartbeat’ Abortion Ban Heads To Georgia Governor’s Desk

“Georgia values life,” Kemp said in a statement Friday. “The legislature’s bold action reaffirms our priorities and who we are as a state.”

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ATLANTA (AP) — Watchful eyes now turn to Georgia’s Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, wondering when he might sign a “heartbeat” abortion ban that he supported and helped push through.

The Georgia House gave final approval Friday to legislation outlawing abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, sending the bill to Kemp. If enacted, it’d be among the strictest abortion bans in the U.S.

Signing the toughest abortion law in the country was a campaign pledge of Kemp’s during his run for governor last year.

“Georgia values life,” Kemp said in a statement Friday. “The legislature’s bold action reaffirms our priorities and who we are as a state.”

The measure was approved by just one vote more than the majority needed to pass out of the House: 92 votes from the 180-member chamber.

Following the vote, a tense situation erupted when law enforcement confronted several Democratic lawmakers and protesters speaking against the bill in the halls of the Capitol, threatening to arrest people if a crowd didn’t disperse and stop chanting “shame”.

Georgia joins a string of other GOP-controlled states moving to enact strict abortion bans, with the ultimate goal of getting a case in front of the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge its 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. The push comes amid rising optimism among conservatives that the restrictions might prevail in the reconfigured high court that includes President Donald Trump appointees Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.

Women in Georgia can currently seek an abortion during the first 20 weeks of a pregnancy. A heartbeat can be detected in an embryo as early as six weeks, before many women know they are pregnant.

The bill would make exceptions in the case of rape and incest — but only when the woman files a police report first — and to save the life of the mother. It also would allow for abortions when a fetus is determined not to be viable because of serious medical issues.

Republican Rep. Ed Setzler, the bill’s author, said it was a “commonsense” measure that seeks to balance “the difficult circumstances women find themselves in with the basic right to life of a child.”

Democratic Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick called the legislation a “death warrant” for women in Georgia, noting that the state already has one of the nation’s worst maternal mortality rates.

The ACLU of Georgia said it will challenge the law in court if it’s signed by Kemp.

“Under 50 years of Supreme Court precedent, this bill is blatantly unconstitutional,” Sean Young, legal director for the ACLU of Georgia, said in an interview Friday. “That is why every single federal court that has considered such bans has struck them down.”

The legislation faced a groundswell of opposition, including Democratic lawmakers and protesters saying on social media and in person that lawmakers who voted in favor of the bill would be targeted in 2020 elections.

A group of women at the Georgia Capitol protested the bill dressed as characters from “The Handmaid’s Tale,” which depicts a dystopian future where women are controlled by the government and forced to reproduce. The activists in red cloaks and white bonnets have been an almost daily presence since the House first passed the measure earlier this month.

Two influential groups, the Medical Association of Georgia and the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians, sent letters to lawmakers opposing the legislation.

The legislation also was opposed by the Writers Guild of America, which represents TV and film writers, and several Hollywood celebrities, who signed an open letter to Kemp in opposition. The letter was spearheaded by actress Gabrielle Union and includes Alec Baldwin, Tracee Ellis Ross, Ben Stiller, Don Cheadle, Mia Farrow and others.

That’s significant because Georgia is a burgeoning production hub for TV and film, with 455 productions shot in Georgia in fiscal year 2018, representing $2.7 billion in direct spending in the state.

GOP lawmakers in Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina and Ohio are pursuing similar legislation, while Republican governors in Mississippi and Kentucky have recently signed heartbeat abortion bans.

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant signed a heartbeat abortion ban on March 21, despite a federal judge’s ruling last year that struck down a less-restrictive law limiting abortions there. Kentucky’s law was temporarily blocked by a federal judge shortly after Republican Gov. Matt Bevin signed it March 14, in response to a challenge by the ACLU. A state judge found Iowa’s heartbeat abortion ban to be unconstitutional in January.

If signed and not blocked in court, the Georgia law would take effect Jan. 1, 2020.

Best Kids DC Offers One-On-One Mentoring To Foster Kids

Find out how you can help a child in need….

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Today we talked about a really dedicated organization that is looking for mentors. Best Kids in a non-profit based in DC that offers one-on-one mentoring to kids in foster care ages 6 to 21. Krislyn Mossman Executive Director & Nia Brown Recruitment & Communications Specialist spoke about how this program is really changing lives and  about their desperate need for male mentors. This organization is truly committed to young people and fostering relationships that help children make the right decision for the right outcomes for their lives and the community they live in.

If you missed today’s show click here

Join us each and every Monday live on WHUR FB at 12:30 for another edition of “Around the DMV in 15 with Taylor Thomas”. Hey, we are always looking for interesting guests and topics. If you have something email me at tthomas@whur.com. Please in the subject line put “Around the DMV in 15 w/ TT”.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963.

Emails Show FDA Worry After Romaine Outbreaks

In a statement, the FDA said it has been working with growers and state agencies to improve safety since the outbreaks, including testing of romaine. The agency said new regulations that include farm inspections and sanitary rules for workers also should help stem outbreaks.

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NEW YORK (AP) — After repeated food poisoning outbreaks tied to romaine lettuce, a U.S. food safety official shared his concerns in an internal email, saying the produce industry’s water testing “failed in an epic and tragic way.”

How the industry tests water to grow leafy greens is “unacceptable” and needs to change, James Gorny, a senior adviser for produce safety at the Food and Drug Administration, wrote to agency leaders.

The message last November, obtained by The Associated Press through a public records request, came days before the agency warned people to avoid romaine ahead of Thanksgiving. Just months earlier in April, another E. coli outbreak linked to romaine had sickened more than 200 and killed five. That was later linked to an irrigation canal near a massive cattle lot in Arizona; the fall outbreak was linked to a water reservoir in California. In both cases, regulators never confirmed how the water became contaminated.

Though the FDA has publicly called on the leafy greens industry to step up safety, the emails offer a stark view of the agency’s longstanding frustrations with continued outbreaks. They also show how the agency leveraged the crisis to pressure for voluntary changes, even as it tries to figure out its own water testing rules.

In a statement, the FDA said it has been working with growers and state agencies to improve safety since the outbreaks, including testing of romaine. The agency said new regulations that include farm inspections and sanitary rules for workers also should help stem outbreaks.

Industry groups said they’re expanding existing safety practices for their members. Joining the industry agreements is voluntary, however, and a farm linked to the fall outbreak was not a member.

Food poisoning outbreaks tied to leafy greens have been an ongoing concern for health officials. The failure of industry measures to stop outbreaks shows the lack of a clear solution, and even regulators aren’t sure how to fix the problem, said Timothy Lytton, a food safety expert at Georgia State University.

This month, the FDA delayed a regulation requiring produce growers to test water for E. coli — which is how the leafy greens industry has been monitoring its water. The presence of E. coli doesn’t necessarily make people sick, but can signal potentially harmful strains. The agency said it needs more time to consider whether it’s the most practical option.

“That’s essentially just stepping back and asking industry to take responsibility for public safety,” said Sarah Sorscher of the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Gorny’s emails came during the fall outbreak tied to California growing regions. In a message in late November, he noted additional, recent illnesses with a strain similar to the earlier spring outbreak.

The FDA said it never tied those additional illnesses to a food. But at the time, Gorny called it a “near miss” that shows the problem wasn’t fixed.

Sorscher said the lack of a solution is concerning, but lettuce is still a healthy food and the “odds are very good that you won’t get sick.”

Measles Count In US This Year Already More Than All Of 2018

Most people who get measles have not been vaccinated. In the U.S., most outbreaks are sparked by travelers who picked up the virus in countries where measles is more common. Nearly 83,000 people contracted measles in Europe in 2018, the highest number in a decade, according to the World Health Organization.

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NEW YORK (AP) — The number of U.S. measles cases through the first three months of this year have surpassed the count for all of 2018, health officials say.

There have been 387 cases through March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Monday. There were 372 last year.

The numbers are preliminary, and may change. But the 2019 tally is already the most since 2014, when 667 were reported.

This year’s numbers have been driven by outbreaks in several states, including New York, California, Illinois, Texas, and Washington.

Most people who get measles have not been vaccinated. In the U.S., most outbreaks are sparked by travelers who picked up the virus in countries where measles is more common. Nearly 83,000 people contracted measles in Europe in 2018, the highest number in a decade, according to the World Health Organization.

The measles vaccine is 97% effective, according to the CDC.

Measles is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and it is extremely contagious.

For most people, measles is miserable but not life-threatening. The most common symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, and a rash all over the body. However, a very small fraction of people get much sicker, and can suffer complications like pneumonia and swelling of the brain. Also, measles can cause pregnant women to deliver prematurely.

There have been three measles-related deaths reported in the U.S. since 2000, including two in 2003 and one in 2015.

Cynthia Marshall, The First African-American Woman NBA CEO

“We are committed to running a business of excellence,” said Marshall, in an exclusive phone interview with Black Enterprise. “Clearly we have work to do, and I walk in knowing that there’s a lot that I don’t know. But I do know how to lead, and how to effect necessary change in an organization.”

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Contributed by Nia Seaton

Cynthia Marshall was named interim CEO of the Dallas Mavericks. Once the first African American cheerleader at UC Berkeley, the telecommunications veteran is now the NBA’s first woman CEO.

Marshall is a trailblazer for this accomplishment because she is now the first African American woman to have this position.With more than 30 years of telecommunication experience, Marshall is extremely aware of positions of operations, regulatory and external affairs, and network engineering.

“We are committed to running a business of excellence,” said Marshall, in an exclusive phone interview with Black Enterprise. “Clearly we have work to do, and I walk in knowing that there’s a lot that I don’t know. But I do know how to lead, and how to effect necessary change in an organization.”

Marshall took on many obstacles herself from growing up with a physically abusive father to being sexually harassed in the workplace. This exposed Marshall to bigger problems in her industry and wish to become a changemaker for future women in this line of work.

What motivated her to accept this offer to take over all non-basketball operations, is her personal commitment to being a part of the change in this area, which highlights the importance of progress for women.

Marshall told The Washington Informer “I wake up every morning to do the best I can do for people. I may not get it right every day. But I work hard to bring people togeth­er and be a light in this world and deal with the dark forces in the world. I feel uniquely equipped by God to bring pos­itive things to this world. This is all I am trying to do”

 

Porsha Williams Gets Spin-off Special, ‘Porsha’s Having A Baby’

“I know you need viewers to tune into your 3 episode commercial, which is why you doing the most” Leakes said on Instagram. “Bye ankles.”

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Contributed by Nia Seaton

RHOA star Porsha Williams is a new mom and has been offered her very own spinoff special titled, Porsha’s Having A Baby.

Williams took to social media to announce the surprise spin off. She quoted “Aye…You asked @BravoTv answered!! “Porsha’s Having A Baby” Special Premieres April 28 Sun 8/7c After #Rhoa 3 Part reunion! I love you #TeamPorsha to the moon and back”

There is already drama stirring with Williams and co-star, NeNe Leakes, who fat-shamed Williams after pregnancy, calling her a “lying a** big fat hungry b–h” and “big piggy with a busted shape”. Leakes was quickly shut down by people on social media, yet that didn’t stop her from replying to Williams’ spin-off announcement.

“I know you need viewers to tune into your 3 episode commercial, which is why you doing the most” Leakes said on Instagram. “Bye ankles.”

Porsha and her fiance, Dennis McKinley, welcomed their daughter, Pilar Jhena, March 22nd and already have big plans in celebrating her arrival. Porsha’s Having A Baby premieres April 28th on Bravo at 8:00 p.m after the third episode of the RHOA reunion.

We’re Looking For Men and Women to Become Mentors to Our Youth

If you have the time spare, think about becoming a mentor. Community Youth Advance is looking for YOU!

Posted by Bobby Gailes
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My guest today is looking for a few good men and women to become mentors to youth in Prince George’s County.  Community Youth Advance says it’s program has been growing by leaps and bounds and they now have more youth than they have mentors to serve them.

Danielle Milner – Executive Director of Community Youth Advance

Community Youth Advance , including Mentoring to Manhood program is one of Prince George’s County’s largest mentorship & academic support organizations serving students of all learning levels in grades K – 12.  More information here:

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

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

 

Ride-Share Mistake Led To Death Of SC College Student

Rowland is charged with kidnapping and murder, Holbrook said. He was being held in the Richland County jail. It wasn’t known if he had a lawyer.

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The man accused of killing a woman who got into his car thinking it was her Uber ride had activated the child locks in his backseat so the doors could only be opened from the outside, police in South Carolina say.

Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook also said investigators found the victim’s blood in Nathaniel David Rowland’s vehicle. Rowland, 24, was arrested and charged in the death of 21-year-old Samantha Josephson, a University of South Carolina student from Robbinsville, New Jersey.

Investigators would not say what they think Rowland did to Josephson from the time she got into his black Chevrolet Impala in Columbia’s Five Points entertainment district around 1:30 a.m. Friday until her body was dumped in woods off a dirt road in Clarendon County about 65 miles (105 kilometers) away.

Josephson had numerous wounds to her head, neck, face, upper body, leg and foot, according to arrest warrants released Sunday by the State Law Enforcement Division. The documents didn’t say what was used to attack her.

Josephson’s blood was found in the trunk and inside Rowland’s car along with her cellphone, bleach, window cleaner and cleaning wipes, Holbrook said.

“This was a bad scene,” the police chief said at a news conference late Saturday.

Hunters found Josephson’s body Friday afternoon just hours after it was dumped, despite being left in an area that was “very difficult to get to unless you knew how to get there,” Holbrook said.

Rowland has recently lived in the area, he said.

The night after Josephson was kidnapped, a Columbia police officer noticed a black Chevrolet Impala about two blocks from the Five Points bars where Josephson was kidnapped. The driver ran, but was arrested after a short chase, Holbrook said.

Rowland is charged with kidnapping and murder, Holbrook said. He was being held in the Richland County jail. It wasn’t known if he had a lawyer.

Rowland decided not to appear at a hearing in jail Sunday. The judge allowed Josephson’s mother to speak, The State newspaper reported.

Marci Josephson said her daughter was planning to go to law school after graduating in May and described her as “bubbly, loving, kind and full of life.”

“Unlike him, Samantha had love within her heart and purpose in her life,” Marci Josephson said.

Safety advocates urged college students to match the vehicle color and model, the license tag number, and the photo of their ride-share drivers before getting in a vehicle and make the driver say their names to them before they introduce themselves.

“She simply, mistakenly, got into the car thinking it was an Uber ride,” Holbrook said.

The crime shook Columbia, the state capital where the University of South Carolina is one of the main economic engines.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and his wife, Peggy, asked on a message on Twitter for prayers for Josephson’s family.

“Peggy and I are devastated and crushed over the Josephson family losing their beautiful daughter Samantha. She was one of the brightest young stars,” McMaster wrote.

Boil Water Advisory In Prince George’s County, Gayle King Interviews Va Lt. Gov. Fairfax’s Accusers

In the News @ 10
WSSC issues boil water advisory…
Gayle King interviews Va Lt. Gov. Fairfax’s accusers…
Brach’s introduce Prince inspired candy for Easter…

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WSSC issues boil water advisory…

The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission has issued a boil water advisory for some residents in southern Prince George’s County.

Over the weekend a huge 36-inch water main ruptured and water was gushing out from busy 210 highway. The boil water advisory is a precautionary move. Officials are awaiting water test results.

23,000 residents in Fort Washington and the National Harbor are under the advisory until further notice. It recommended that you bring the water to a rolling boil for 3 minutes, let it cool and then use it. This applies for water for your pets as well.

Gayle King interviews Va Lt. Gov. Fairfax’s accusers…

Gayle King is grabbing national headlines this morning once again. This time she is sitting down with the two women who claim they were sexually assaulted or raped by Virginia Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax.

This morning on CBS’s This morning Dr. Vanessa Tyson the first woman to come forward to make the allegations spoke to King. Dr. Tyson a political scientist claims Fairfax forced her to perform a sex act on him in a hotel during the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

The second victim says Fairfax raped her when she was a student at Duke University. Both women are calling for an investigation and both say they are willing to testify under oath before lawmakers. They want Fairfax to resign. On Sunday, Fairfax over the weekend released that he had passed two separate polygraph tests regarding the allegations. He has always maintained that the sex was consensual.

Brach’s introduce Prince inspired candy for Easter…

The candy maker Brach’s is planning to sell candy inspired by the late pop icon Prince. The candy is called Purple Rain Tiny Jelly Birds. The flavors include berry, blue raspberry, blueberry, and grape. The Jelly Birds will be made available for purchase on April 21st which marks the 3rd anniversary of Princes’ death.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

Janet Jackson Enters Hall With Encouragement For Women

“As the youngest in my family, I was determined to make it on my own,” she said. “I was determined to stand on my own two feet. But never in a million years did I expect to follow in their footsteps.”

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NEW YORK (AP) — Stevie Nicks, who became the first woman inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Janet Jackson, the latest member of the Jackson clan to enter the hall, called for other women to join them in music immortality on a night they were honored with five all-male British bands.

Jackson issued her challenge just before leaving the stage of Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” she said, “in 2020, induct more women.”

Neither Jackson or Nicks were around at the end of the evening when another Brit, Ian Hunter, led an all-star jam at the end to “All the Young Dudes.” The Bangles’ Susanna Hoffs was the only woman onstage.

During the five-hour ceremony, Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music thanked multiple bass players and album cover designers, the Cure’s Robert Smith proudly wore his mascara and red lipstick a month shy of his 60th birthday and two of Radiohead’s five members showed up for trophies.

During Def Leppard’s induction, Rick Allen was moved to tears by the audience’s standing ovation when singer Joe Elliott recalled the drummer’s perseverance following a 1985 accident that cost him an arm.

Jackson followed her brothers Michael and the Jackson 5 as inductees. She said she wanted to go to college and become a lawyer growing up, but her late father Joe had other ideas for her.

“As the youngest in my family, I was determined to make it on my own,” she said. “I was determined to stand on my own two feet. But never in a million years did I expect to follow in their footsteps.”

She encouraged Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, producers of her breakthrough “Control” album and most of her vast catalog, to stand in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center for recognition, as well as booster Questlove. She thanked Dick Clark of “American Bandstand” and Don Cornelius of “Soul Train,” along with her choreographers including Paula Abdul.

There was some potential for awkward vibes Friday, since the event was being filmed to air on HBO on April 27. HBO angered the Jackson family this winter for showing the documentary “Leaving Neverland,” about two men who alleged Michael Jackson abused them when they were boys. Jackson never mentioned Michael specifically in her remarks but thanked her brothers, and he was shown on screen with the rest of the family.

Jackson was inducted by an enthusiastic Janelle Monae, whose black hat and black leather recalled some of her hero’s past stage looks. She said Jackson had been her phone’s screen-saver for years as a reminder to be focused and fearless in how she approached art.

Nicks was the night’s first induction. She is already a member of the hall as a member of Fleetwood Mac, but only the first woman to join 22 men — including all four Beatles members — to have been honored twice by the rock hall for the different stages of their career.

Nicks offered women a blueprint for success, telling them her trepidation in first recording a solo album while a member of Fleetwood Mac and encouraging others to match her feat.

“I know there is somebody out there who will be able to do it,” she said, promising to talk often of how she built her solo career. “What I am doing is opening up the door for other women.”

During her four-song set, she brought onstage a cape she bought in 1983 to prove to her “very frugal” late mother that it was still in good shape, and worth its $3,000 price tag. Don Henley joined her to sing “Leather and Lace,” while Harry Styles filled in for the late Tom Petty on “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around.”

David Byrne inducted Radiohead, noting he was flattered the band named itself after one of his songs. He said their album “Kid A” was the one that really hooked him, and he was impressed Radiohead could be experimental in both their music and how they conduct business.

“They’re creative and smart in both areas, which was kind of a rare combination for artists, not just now but anytime,” he said.

With only drummer Philip Selway and guitarist Ed O’Brien on hand, Radiohead didn’t perform; there was a question of whether any of them would show up given the group’s past ambivalence about the hall. But both men spoke highly of the honor.

“This is such a beautifully surreal evening for us,” said O’Brien. “It’s a big (expletive) deal and it feels like it. … I wish the others could be here because they would be feeling it.”

The Cure’s Smith has been a constant in a band of shifting personnel, and he stood onstage for induction Friday with 11 past and current members. Despite their goth look, the Cure has a legacy of pop hits, and performed three of them at Barclays, “I Will Always Love You,” ″Just Like Heaven” and “Boys Don’t Cry.”

Visibly nervous, Smith called his induction a “very nice surprise” and shyly acknowledged the crowd’s cheers.

“It’s been a fantastic thing, it really has,” he said. “We love you, too.”

His inductee, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, recalled ridiculing the rock hall in past years because he couldn’t believe the Cure wasn’t in. When he got the call that the band was in, he said “I was never so happy eating my words as I was that day.”

Def Leppard sold tons of records, back when musicians used to do that, with a heavy metal sound sheened to pop perfection on songs like “Photograph” and “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” They performed them in a set that climaxed the annual ceremony.

Singer Joe Elliott stressed the band’s working-class roots, thanking his parents and recalling how his father gave them 150 pounds to make their first recording in 1978.

Besides Allen’s accident, the band survived the 1991 death of guitarist Steve Clark. Elliott said there always seemed to be a looming sense of tragedy around the corner for the band, but “we wouldn’t let it in.”

“If alcoholism, car crashes and cancer couldn’t kill us, the ’90s had no (expletive) chance,” said Elliott, referring to his band mates as the closest thing to brothers that an only child could have.

Roxy Music, led by the stylish Ferry, performed a five-song set that included hits “Love is the Drug,” ″More Than This” and “Avalon.” (Brian Eno didn’t show for the event).

Simon LeBon and John Taylor of Duran Duran inducted them, with Taylor saying that hearing Roxy Music in concert at age 14 showed him what he wanted to do with his life.

“Without Roxy Music, there really would be no Duran Duran,” he said.

The soft-spoken Ferry thanked everyone from a succession of bass players to album cover designers. “We’d like to thank everyone for this unexpected honor,” he said.

The Zombies, from rock ‘n’ roll’s original British invasion, were the veterans of the night. They made it despite being passed over in the past, but were gracious in their thanks of the rock hall. They performed hits “Time of the Season,” ″Tell Her No” and “She’s Not There.”

Zombies lead singer Rod Argent noted that the group had been eligible for the hall for 30 years but the honor had eluded them.

“To have finally passed the winning post this time — fantastic!”

Beyonce, ‘Black Panther’ Win At 50th NAACP Image Awards

Beyonce released a joint album last year with her husband, Jay-Z, called “Everything is Love.” The prolific singer also paid tribute to historically black colleges and universities, as well as the dance troupes and step teams during her groundbreaking two-hour Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival performance. She also performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which is known as the national black anthem, at the festival and donated $100,000 to four black universities shortly after her performance.

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Beyonce was named entertainer of the year at the 50th annual NAACP Image Awards that highlighted works by entertainers and writers of color.

After Beyonce accepted the award Saturday night, the superstar paid homage to the people who were nominated in the same category as her. She beat out Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, Regina King, Chadwick Boseman and director Ryan Coogler.

“Regina King, I love you so much. You taught us patience, persistence and how to be masterful in your craft,” she said. “Chadwick Boseman is teaching children to dream and to be seen as kings. LeBron James has taught us the strength of all forms, leading by example and providing education to our kids. Ryan Coogler tells our stories in a way that celebrates our history and proves we do have power.”

Beyonce added: “I’m honored to be included among all of you, and to be a part of a vital and thriving community. Thank you to the NAACP.”

Beyonce released a joint album last year with her husband, Jay-Z, called “Everything is Love.” The prolific singer also paid tribute to historically black colleges and universities, as well as the dance troupes and step teams during her groundbreaking two-hour Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival performance. She also performed “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” which is known as the national black anthem, at the festival and donated $100,000 to four black universities shortly after her performance.

The awards ceremony aired live on TV One at the Dolby Theatre, the same venue that hosts the Academy Awards.

Jay-Z received the President’s Award for the rapper’s public service achievements. He was recognized for his efforts through his Shawn Carter Foundation and serving as co-founder of the REFORM Alliance.

The rapper executive produced the documentaries “Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story” and “Time: The Kalief Browder Story,” along with an animated documentary short called “The War on Drugs is an Epic Fail.” That documentary highlighted the unfavorable treatment of black and Latino people when it comes to drug-related crimes.

Jay-Z quoted Abraham Lincoln after he accepted his award and dedicated his trophy to his 93-year-old grandmother Hattie White, saying: “She’s so full of life.” He also paid homage to the women in his life, including his wife, Beyonce, who smiled while her husband made his speech.

“It’s not the amount of years in your life. It’s the amount of life in your years,” he said. “That quote embodies my beautiful grandmother.”

“Black Panther” was awarded best motion picture. The Marvel blockbuster hit beat out “BlacKkKlansman,” ″Crazy Rich Asians,” ″If Beale Street Could Talk” and “The Hate U Give.”

The superhero film was a cultural phenomenon. It earned $700 million domestically during it theatrical run.

“Black Panther” won in several other categories, including best actor in a motion picture (Boseman), supporting actor in a motion picture (Michael B. Jordan) and directing in a motion picture (Coogler).

Jussie Smollett, who lost to “Grey’s Anatomy” star Jessie Williams in the supporting actor in a drama series category, did not attend the awards.

It has been a tumultuous week for the “Empire” star after a felony case against him was dropped in Chicago. The handling of the case, which accused Smollett of falsely reporting to police that he was assaulted by two men in downtown Chicago on Jan. 29, has drawn widespread condemnation.

Actor-comedian Chris Rock took verbal jabs at Smollett before he presented outstanding comedy series to ABC’s “black-ish.”

“They said no Jussie Smollett jokes,” Rock said. “Yeah, I know, but what a waste of light skin. Do you know what I could do with that light skin? That curly hair, my career would be out of here. I would be running Hollywood. What the hell was he thinking? You are known as ‘Jessie’ for now on. You don’t even get the ‘u’ anymore. That ‘u’ was for respect. You ain’t getting no respect from me.”

In response to Rock’s jokes, “black-ish” star Yara Shahidi made her stance in the Smollett controversy obvious.

“I stand with Jussie,” Shahidi said before she handed the microphone to Marcus Scribner and ducked into her crowd of castmates including Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross

Anderson returned as host of the show and won for best actor in a comedy series. He opened the awards speaking about “black excellence” in film, hoping his behavior wouldn’t get him removed as host and made several jokes including one about Kanye West not being invited to cookouts.

Anderson brought his mother onstage with him and dedicated his award to “the woman who raised me in Watts (California) and pushed me to become an actor.”

“Everything I do on screen is for you momma,” Anderson said of his mother, who clutched his award. He also shouted out U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, who sat in the first row.

Waters received the NAACP Chairman’s Award for public service. She spoke about young voters taking a stance at the polls, her thoughts on getting rid of the Electoral College and President Donald Trump’s presidency.

“I still think he needs to be impeached,” Waters said of Trump. “This president has defined himself as a liar.”

Donald Glover, who won four Grammys this year, won for his directing on “Atlanta.” On the music side, his alter-ego Childish Gambino’s song “This is America” won for best music video.

 

Grammy-Nominated Rapper Nipsey Hussle Shot And Killed At 33

Police said Hussle was one of three men shot Sunday outside Marathon Clothing, his store in South Los Angeles; the other two were in stable condition. A large crowd gathered outside the store as night fell. Detectives were canvassing the area for witnesses and looking to see if any surveillance video captured the shooting, police Lt. Chris Ramirez said.

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nipsey Hussle, a respected rapper who earned a Grammy nomination this year for his major-label debut, was fatally shot outside his clothing store, authorities said. He was 33.

Police said Hussle was one of three men shot Sunday outside Marathon Clothing, his store in South Los Angeles; the other two were in stable condition. A large crowd gathered outside the store as night fell. Detectives were canvassing the area for witnesses and looking to see if any surveillance video captured the shooting, police Lt. Chris Ramirez said.

Mayor Eric Garcetti was among the many people expressing condolences.
“Our hearts are with the loved ones of Nipsey Hussle and everyone touched by this awful tragedy. L.A. is hurt deeply each time a young life is lost to senseless gun violence,” Garcetti tweeted. “My Crisis Response Team is assisting the families coping with shock and grief.”

Hussle, who had two children and was engaged to actress Lauren London, was an Eritrean-American whose real name was Ermias Asghedom.

“This doesn’t make any sense! My spirit is shaken by this!,” Rihanna wrote while posting photos of Hussle with his daughter and another with his fiance. “Dear God may His spirit Rest In Peace and May You grant divine comfort to all his loved ones! I’m so sorry this happened to you @nipseyhussle.”

Hussle was born on Aug. 15, 1985, in the Crenshaw neighborhood of south Los Angeles. He said his first passion was music but getting resources was tough after leaving his mother’s house at 14 to live with his grandmother. Hussle said he got involved in street life as he tried to support himself, and he joined the gang Rollin 60′s Neighborhood Crips as a teenager.

“The culture of my area is the gang culture,” he explained in a 2014 interview with VladTV. “So by being outside, being involved with hustling, being in the hood, doing things to try to get money, being young, you know riding your bike through the hood, getting shot at, your loved ones and homies that’s your age getting killed, getting shot at … it’s like, we were just raised like if you with me and something goes now, I’m in it, whether I’m from the (expletive) or not … So after a while it just be like you always in the middle of some (expletive), you might as well, you know what I mean … be part of it. Or don’t be a part of it and get the (expletive) out the way.”

Music eventually happened for Hussle. He released a number of successful mixtapes that he sold out of the trunk of his car, helping him create a buzz and gain respect from rap purists and his peers. In 2010 he placed on hip-hop magazine XXL’s “Freshman Class of 2010” — a coveted list for up-and-coming hip-hop acts — alongside J. Cole Big Sean, Wiz Khalifa, Jay Rock and others.
The proud West Coast rapper continued to build more hype for himself, scoring big when Jay-Z bought 100 copies of his 2013 mixtape “Crenshaw” for $100 each, and sent him a $10,000 check.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Hussle and rapper YG released the protest song “FDT,” short for ”(Expletive) Donald Trump.” He later hit a new peak with “Victory Lap,” his critically acclaimed major-label debut album on Atlantic Records that made several best-of lists last year, from Billboard magazine to Complex. The album debuted at No. 4 on Billboard’s 200 albums charts and featured collaborations with Kendrick Lamar, Diddy, CeeLo Green and more.

At this year’s Grammy Awards, “Victory Lap” was one of five nominees for best rap album in a year that hip-hop dominated the pop charts and streaming services and a number of top stars released projects, including Drake, Eminem and Kanye West. Cardi B’s “Invasion of Privacy” won the honor last month, while the other nominees were Travis Scott, Pusha T and Mac Miller.

“It’s my debut album so for my first one (to be nominated) out the gate, it’s like, it was overwhelming a little bit. It was … inspiring, humbling,” he said in an interview with the Recording Academy on the red carpet of the 2019 Grammys, which he attended with this daughter.

Many celebrities were mourning his death on social media. NBA star Steph Curry tweeted, “God please cover and restore @NipseyHussle right now!!!”

Snoop Dogg posted a video of himself and Hussle together on Instagram, and posted a second clip sending prayers to the rapper’s family.

“Prayers out to the whole family man. This (stuff has) got to stop man,” he said in the second video.

Rapper Nas mourned Hussle’s death on Instagram and wrote, “It’s dangerous to be an MC. Dangerous to be a b-ball player. It’s dangerous to have money. Dangerous To Be A Black Man.”

“So much hatred. We live like our brothers and sisters in third world countries live. Right in America,” Nas continued. “Its so deep rooted. It’s not a easy fix. Hard to fix anything when kids are still living in poverty. I ain’t shutting up though, Nipsey is a True voice. He will never be silenced.”

Outside of music, Hussle said he wanted to provide hope and motivation to those who grew up in Crenshaw like him, and pay it forward. Forbes magazine reported in February that with business partner Dave Gross, the rapper had purchased the Crenshaw plaza where his Marathon Clothing store is located, and had plans to knock it down and “rebuild it as a six-story residential building atop a commercial plaza where a revamped Marathon store will be the anchor tenant.”

“Watching Nipsey inspired me to invest and own in our communities,” Emmy-nominated actress Issa Rae, also from Los Angeles, wrote on Twitter.

___

Fekadu reported from New York.

https://youtu.be/bDH8l3AzcSw

Understanding Your Homeowners’ Association

Do you know what your Homeowners’ Association does? How can it work for you? How do you resolve disputes with your Association?

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If you’ve bought a new house or condo within the last 20 years it’s very likely that there’s a homeowners or condo association there.  Some of you haven’t had any connection to the association other than paying the fees.  Others may have had more interaction than you planned on or wanted.  What happens if you have problems with your H.O.A?  What do you need to know?  Officials from a local and relatively new government agency addresses those questions and more.

Resources: Prince George’s County Commission on Common Ownership Communities

https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/921/Common-Ownership-Communities

GUESTS:

Timothy Smith, Chair, Prince George’s County Commission on Common Ownership Communities

 

Nicole Williams, Vice Chair, Prince George’s County Commission on Common Ownership Communities

Daria Bailey, Division Manager, Prince George’s County Commission on Common Ownership Communities

WHUR Special Edition of The Daily Drum: Opioids… The Enemy Within

WHUR holds a town hall meeting about the opioid crisis in the DMV.

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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.

NPS To Begin Emergency Parkway Pothole Patching, Suspect Pleads Guilty To Charlottesville School Threats

NPS To Begin Emergency Parkway Pothole Patching. Suspect Pleads Guilty To Charlottesville School Threats. Flight Diverted To Dulles Due To Fuel Odor.

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NPS To Begin Emergency Parkway Pothole Patching

(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.

DC Is Set To Give Out Naloxone To Help With Opioid Crisis, A S.C. 5th Grader Killed Following In School Fight

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.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

City Leaders: Smollett Owes Chicago $130K For Investigation

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.

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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.

Usher Releasing ‘Confessions 2’

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.

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Contributed by Nia Seaton

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!

 

Tiffany Haddish Launching New Comedy Series

“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.

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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.

 

US Begins Organ Transplants From Living Donors With HIV

“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.

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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.”

Trump Says FBI, DOJ To Review Jussie Smollett Case

Trump tweeted: “FBI & DOJ to review the outrageous Jussie Smollett case in Chicago. It is an embarrassment to our Nation!”

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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.

Prosecutors initially charged Smollett with one felony count, in February. Then earlier this month, a grand jury indicted him on 15 more counts.

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.”

___

Check out the AP’s complete coverage  of the Jussie Smollett case.

Disney Dreamers Academy 2019

This years slogan was “Be 100: Be The Hero of Your Own Story”.

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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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facebook Facing Housing Discrimination Charges From HUD

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.

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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.

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A Gunshot Victim Dropped Off At A Md Hospital Dies, An Audit Finds Major Violations With Prince George’s Co. School Contracts

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 Williams Found Drunk And Hospitalized; Taking Another Break From Show

“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.”

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Contributed by Nia Seaton

Wendy William’s health is at risk and was rushed to the hospital on Monday, March 25th. After rumors spread about her husband’s alleged mistress give birth to a baby girl last week, the news may have taken a toll on Williams.

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.”

 

Singer Monica Files For Divorce After Eight Years Of Marriage

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.

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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.

We’re Tackling The Opioids That’s Impacting Our Community

Join us tonight for a special Town Hall Edition of the Daily Drum

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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.

Women Wednesday: Black Women Scientists

Black women scientists talk about the successes and challenges of their careers.

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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

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

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DC Police Use Of Force Increases

(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.

Is Issa Rae Engaged?

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?

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Contributed by Nia Seaton

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.

Congratulations girl!!!

 

Michelle Obama’s Memoir ‘Becoming’ Sells 10 Million Copies

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.

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Contributed by Nia Seaton

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.

Congratulations to Michelle Obama!