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Insight on the Gillette Commercial Controversy

Tonight’s guest Samantha Master-Feminist Organizer andDr. Cleo Manago-Social & Political Analyst & Behavioral Specialist shared their views regarding the gillette commercial controversy.

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It’s the commercial everyone is talking about and bringing awareness to the Me Too movement. Many were opposed to the message and others thought it was a great concept. Tonight, we’re going to dive into the Gillette commercial and we want to know your thoughts.

Samantha Master-Feminist Organizer @thefirenextime

Dr. Cleo Manago-Social & Political Analyst & Behavioral Specialist

BACKGROUND-BUSINESS INSIDER

Furious people are destroying their razors after watching Gillette’s ad — but it gave the company a crucial advantage over some of its biggest competitors A survey of 2,201 adults conducted this week by Morning Consultand released on Thursday found that the majority of those surveyed (61%) said they had a positive opinion of the ad after watching it. Moreover, of the people who said they used products from Harry’s or Dollar Shave Club, 56% said they would be more likely to buy from Gillette after watching the ad. Gillette had long been the market leader for razors until buzzy new startups such as Harry’s and Dollar Shave Club arrived on the scene.

Harry’s, the direct-to-consumer service, immediately became a hit with millennials. In early 2018, it raised $112 million in funding to expand its business beyond men’s grooming, bringing its total funding to $375 million.

Dollar Shave Club, which offers a similar subscription service, was bought by Unilever for $1 billion in 2016 in one of the most expensive purchases of an e-commerce company.

WHUR, HU & FedEx To Host Food Drive To Help Feed Federal Workers

“It has now been over a month since thousands of federal workers have been off their jobs without pay. Many are having to make some tough decisions about day to day living. We hope this ‘rolling food collection drive’ will help to keep meals on the table for these employees,” said WHUR Interim General Manager Sean Plater.

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Rolling Food Drive Gives Local Workers Chance to Assist their Federal Colleagues

(Washington, D.C., January 18, 2019) – Howard University, WHUR and FedEx are teaming up to restock the shelves of federal workers in the DMV. Staff members will visit highly populated local government and private industry buildings in the DMV on Thursday, January 24th and Friday, January 25th where employees are scheduled to bring much needed non-perishable food for their federal government counterparts. Additional donations from the community are welcomed.

Recent news reports have documented how furloughed federal employees in the DMV are having a tough time making ends meet as they continue to wait to receive a paycheck. Howard University, WHUR 96.3FM and FedEx are leading an effort to host a rolling food collection drive throughout the region urging local government and private sector workers to bring canned goods to help lessen the burden for their colleagues.

“It has now been over a month since thousands of federal workers have been off their jobs without pay. Many are having to make some tough decisions about day to day living. We hope this ‘rolling food collection drive’ will help to keep meals on the table for these employees,” said WHUR Interim General Manager Sean Plater.

The goal each day is to pack the FedEx truck with enough food to feed hundreds of federal workers, added Plater. All donations collected will go to the Capital Area Food Bank, which has been hosting weekly food giveaways for furloughed workers and contractors.

Scheduled Donation Stops

* Howard Administration Building – Thursday, January 24th 5am-9am

* John A. Wilson Building – Thursday, January 24th 11am – 2pm

* Wayne Curry Administration Building – Friday, January 25th 9am – 10am

* Alexandria City Hall – Friday, January 25th 12pm – 2pm

More information to come…

For more information, contact News Director Renee Nash at 202-253-4331.

Vivian Green, Anthony Hamilton and Marcus Johnson in The DMV This Weekend

The DMV has plenty to offer this weekend.

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Weekend Haps Update:

 

  • At Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, check out Vivian Green, Sunday night.  show starts at 8pm.

 

  • City Winery presents Marcus Johnson tomorrow night, doors open at 6 and the show starts at 8pm.

 

  • Anthony Hamilton performs tonight at the Theater at MGM National Harbor.  Show time is 8pm.

 

  • The Ford’s Theatre is presenting the Classic American Drama, “Twelve Angry Men”, Starting tonight and running through February 17th.

 

  • Step Afrika, the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping, launches it’s 25thAnniversary at the Music Center at Strathmore, this Sunday at 5pm.

 

  • The Prince George’s African American Museum & Cultural Center is hosting it’s Book Drive, Saturday, January 19thfrom 11am-3pm.  More information can be found here:

 

  • Angie Stone is at the Birchmere Monday night.  Showtime is 7:30pm

 

  • Montgomery County’s MLK Celebration is January 21stat 3:30pm at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda. This year’s theme is “Women of the Dream”.The event is free and the theme is “Women of the Dream.”  More information here: 

 

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

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

DC’s Summer Youth Employee Program Reopens, Metro Losing Thousands Because Of Gov’t Shutdown

In the News @ 10
DC’s Summer Youth Employee Program reopens…
Metro losing thousands because of Gov’t shutdown…
Chicago judge acquits 3 officers in Laquan McDonald murder…

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DC’s Summer Youth Employee Program reopens…

It’s that time of the year again and this time this could really come in handy for families affected by the partial government shutdown. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has announced that the online application process for the Districts Summer Youth Employment Program has begun. For more information see here

This program is for DC residents between the ages of 14 and 16 looking for work. Applicants selected will undergo training and work at various companies that match their career interest. The best thing about this program created by the late Mayor and City Council Member Marion Barry is that these young people will get paid while learning a skill.

Metro losing thousands because of Gov’t shutdown…

Metro’s General Manager Paul Wiedefeld says the transit agency is losing $400,000 a day in lost revenue from riders and parking fee’s. Wiedefeld wrote a letter to Senators in Virginia and Maryland explaining their hardship as a result of the now 28-day old partial government shutdown.

Wiedfeld says they have seen a 14% drop in ridership on the rails and 16% drop on bus riders. The financial crunch may lead to employee’s being laid off and cuts in services it the furlough continues into next month.

Chicago judge acquits 3 officers in Laquan McDonald murder…

Family members and the community are saddened that a Chicago judge ruled the three officers accused of lying in the police-involved shooting death of an unarmed black teen.

Laquan McDonald was 17-years-old when he was shot 16 times by Chicago Police Officer Jason Van Dyke. Yesterday the officers who were accused of trying to high information in the probe were cleared of any wrongdoing.

Today former officer Van Dyke will be sentenced for second-degree murder in the death of the unarmed African American teen. He faces anywhere from probation to 96 years in prison.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

Winter Weather Is Again Impacting Schools. Here’s A List of Friday’s Delays and Closings

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Alexandria Schools
Open 2 hours late

Anne Arundel County Schools
Open 2 hours late

Arlington County Schools
Open 2 hours late

Berkeley County Schools
Open 2 hours late

Bullis School
Open 2 hours late

Calvert County Schools
Dismiss two hours early

Culpeper County Schools
Open 2 hours late

Fairfax Christian School
Open 2 hours late

Fairfax County Schools
3 hour early release

Fauquier County Schools
Closed Friday

Frederick Christian Academy
Open at 10am

Frederick Community College
Open at 11am

Frederick County Schools (MD)
Open 2 hours late

Fredericksburg Public Schools
Open 2 hours late

Grant County Schools
Open 2 hours late

Hampshire County Schools
Open 2 hours late

Highland Park Christian Academy
Open 2 hours late

Highland School
Open 2 hours late

Hope Community PCS-Lamond
Open 2 hours late

Hope Community PCS-Tolson Campus
Open 2 hours late

Howard County Schools
Open 2 hours late

Jefferson County Schools
Open 2 hours late

Morgan County Schools
Open 2 hours late

National Christian Academy
Open 2 hours late

New Life Christian School
Open 2 hours late

Page County Schools
Open 2 hours late

Prince George’s County Schools
Open 2 hours late

Prince William County Schools
Closed Friday

Providence Christian Academy
Closed

Rappahannock County Public Schools
Open 2 hours late

Riverdale Baptist School
Open 2 hours late

Rock Creek Christian Academy
Open 2 hours late

Shenandoah County Schools
Open 2 hours late

Spotsylvania County Schools
Open 2 hours late

Stafford County Schools
Open 2 hours late

Sunshine Daycare Center
Open at 6am

Warren County Public Schools
Open 2 hours late

YMCA Alexandria
Early learning program opens 2 hours late

YMCA-Arlington
School age childcare opens 2 hrs late

YMCA-Prince George’s County
Childcare opens 2 hours late

How The Government Shutdown Impacted Small Businesses

Due to the government shutdown many small businesses are struggling. Our guest tonight Ron Busby-President & CEO of U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce and Carl Brown Executive Director of DC Small Business Development Center with Howard University and Co Host of The Small Business Report on HUR Voices Sirius XM 141 has offered some advice for small business owners

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Audio:

All week long we have offered resources and financial advice for furloughed employees dealing with the government shutdown. But we can not forget about our small business owners, who also have some concerns. Tonight, we have an a couple of experts to offer some advice and we want to hear from you.

 

Ron Busby-President & CEO of U.S. Black Chamber of Commerce

Website:usblackchambers.org

@usblackchambers

Carl Brown-Executive Director of DC Small Business Development Center with Howard University & Co Host of The Small Business Report on HUR Voices Sirius XM 141

Website:

dcsbdc.org

thesmalbusinessreport.biz

Instagram: thesmbizreport

Man Stabbed While Near Metro Station, Police Search for Georgetown Kidnapping Suspect, President Cancels Pelosi Flight

Man stabbed near Wheaton Metro station
Georgetown kidnap suspect sought
President denies Pelosi military plane

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Stabbing near Metro station

Police are investigating a stabbing that took place outside the Wheaton Metro station today. The victim is said to be a man in his 20s. He was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Train service on the Red Line was briefly affected, and trains were bypassing the station for a short time. Metro Transit Police say they have a suspect in custody.

Kidnap suspect wanted

DC Police are still searching for a woman who allegedly tried to kidnap a child.  The incident happened Tuesday around 5:00 p.m. in the 28-hundred block of Dumbarton Street Northwest. Police say after grabbing and trying to lure the child away, the suspect fled on foot and ran east on Dumbarton. Police have released images of the woman online. She is described as a middle age white female who is about five-foot-seven with a blonde mohawk hairstyle.

Pelosi-Trump tit-for-tat

President Trump is denying House Speaker Nancy Pelosi the use of a military plane during the government shutdown. The move comes after Pelosi called on Trump to delay his upcoming State of the Union address. Trump informed Pelosi that her “seven-day excursion” to Brussels, Egypt and Afghanistan is being postponed and can be rescheduled when shutdown ends. He also said that if she wants to go, should pay her own way by flying commercially.

 

A Party With a Purpose, The Fight Against Heart Disease in Women

The Open My Heart Foundation hosts it’s Red Dress Gala, shining a spotlight on heart disease

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Tackling women and heart disease… one victim at a time. The Open My Heart Foundation is hosing its annual Red Dress Gala Awards to shine the spotlight on heart disease and help to eliminate heart health disparities.  My guest this morning is Florence Champagne – Founder and CEO of the Open My Heart Foundation

The Open My Heart Foundation is hosting its Annual Red Dress Gala Awards Friday, February 1stat 6pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Annapolis, Maryland.  More information here:

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

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

Listen to this mornings segment here:

Part 1

Part 2

Louisville Honors Muhammad Ali, 27 Days And Counting For Furlough Workers

In the News @ 10
Louisville honors Muhammad Ali…
27 days and counting for furlough workers…
FBI foils planned attack on the White House…

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Louisville honors Muhammad Ali…

City officials in Louisville, Kentucky voted yesterday to change the name of
The Louisville Regional Airport Authority board voted yesterday to change the name of their airport after boxing great and activist Muhammad Ali.

The name approved Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. It still requires naming approval. The city is willing to invest $100,000 to make the change. Louisville is Ali’s hometown which borders Indiana. Ali died in 2016. This announcement comes on Ali’s birthday. He would have turned 77 today.

27 days and counting for furlough workers…

The partial government shutdown is now in its 27th day. More and more American’s are feeling the impact. This morning we are getting word that the shutdown is now affecting food inspection, automobile recalls and airport security.

Yesterday President Trump held a bipartisan meeting to see if a compromised could be reached but that did not work. During a conference call, Trump told supporters he’s not budging on his $5.7 billion dollar request for a border wall and that he said he was in for a long shutdown.

FBI foils planned attack on the White House…

A tip from a concerned person led FBI agents to open an investigation into a man who was planning to bomb the White House today. Yesterday 21-year-old Hasher Taheb was arrested in his home.

He planned to use an automatic rifle and IED’s and to take out as many people as possible. He also planned to attack the Lincoln and Washington Memorial. A synagogue was named but officials are not releasing that information.

Taheb was arrested yesterday when he traded his vehicle with undercover FBI agents posing as a weapon dealer. Prosecutors say he had the ability to cause widespread casualties.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

Attempted Bank Robbery Turns Deadly, Maryland’s U.S. Senators To Discuss Shutdown, Fake Washington Post newspapers

Man shot dead following attempted bank robbery
Marylander’s two U.S. Senators to address shutdown
Washington Post combats fake newspapers

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Man killed following attempted bank holdup

A hectic scene in downtown Silver Spring this morning. A man attempted to rob the BB&T bank on Wayne Avenue. He said he had a bomb and demanded 20-thousand dollars. He never got the money.  The bank’s manager hit a panic button to alert police.  Police later encountered the man in an alley  near the Silver  metro station where a Montgomery County policeman shot and killed the suspect.  Police determined there was no bomb in the man’s backpack, but an item made to look like a bomb.

Van Hollen and Cardin to address shutdown

Residents in Prince George’s County will have a chance to tell two of its top state representatives what they think of the government shutdown.  The Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce will host a discussion on the shutdown Thursday morning with Maryland U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin. The event will be held from 8:30-10:30 am at the Double Tree Hotel , 9100 Basil Court in Largo.  The public is invited, but seating availability is on a first come first serve basis.

Phony Washington Post newspapers 

The Washington Post is warning people about fake copies of their newspapers. The Post said phony print editions are circulating around town, as well as a a website designed to look just like the paper. People were seen outside the White House and Union Station handing out the fake copies, which falsely read that President Trump was leaving office. Another front page headline read, “Celebrations break out worldwide as Trump era ends.” The Post says it is looking into the issue.

Reporters Roundtable

Tonight we’re covering the top stories of the week. Our guest Micha Green-DC Editor of Afro Newspaper and Democratic Strategist Maurice Simpson.

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This week President Trump’s White House dinner presentation is trending on twitter with hamburgers and fries. Once again we’re seeing an uptick of gun violence in the District. Also CNN Legal Analyst Reva Martin assumed David Webb is a white male. Tonight, we’re covering the top stories of the week in the Reporter’s Roundtable. Our guest tonight….

Micha Green-DC Editor with Afro Newspaper

 

Maurice Simpson-Democratic Strategist & Political Commentary

President Trump’s Tweet

Great being with the National Champion Clemson Tigers last night at the White House. Because of the Shutdown I served them massive amounts of Fast Food (I paid), over 1000 hamberders etc. Within one hour, it was all gone. Great guys and big eaters! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 15, 2019

Here’s What You Can Do If You Need Help With Your Electric Bill

Pepco explains how it’s moving to lessen the pain of the government shutdown for its customers.

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Washington, D.C. (January 16, 2019)  –  WHUR-FM is committed to keeping you informed about resources to help during the partial government shutdown. Each day, we will feature resources designed to give you the tools to help you make the best possible decisions for you and your family. Today, we spoke to Felecia Greer – Director and Customer Advocate for PepcoConnect.  Pepco says it has a wide range of payment options and also plans to work individually with customers impacted by the government shutdown. Call Pepco at 202-833-7500 to discussion your needs.

The key to making sure that you stay ahead of the shutdown is to communicate with your creditors.  Many companies are providing some kind of assistance.

Celebrity Chef Jose Andres To Open Kitchen To Feed Furloughed Federal Workers And Their Families

The Kitchen and Cafe will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily starting today.

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The current partial government shutdown is now the longest shutdown in US history and there appears to be no end in sight. As thousands of federal employees worry about finding a way to support their families and where their next meal will come from, D.C. entrepreneur and Chef Jose Andres announced he will open a pop-up kitchen to feed government workers.

“We believe that no person should have to go through the pain of knowing when to feed their children,” said Andres on Twitter Monday.

World Central Kitchen will set up shop at 701 Pennsylvania Ave. for hungry federal workers and their families.

In the past, Andres fed victims of Hurricane Maria in his native home of Puerto Rico.

The Kitchen and Cafe will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily starting today.

Fifteen-Time GRAMMY Winner Alicia Keys to Host the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards

“I know what it feels like to be on that stage, and I’m going to bring that vibe and energy,” said Keys. “I’m so excited to be the master of ceremonies on the biggest night in music and celebrate the creativity, power and, magic. I’m especially excited for all the incredible women nominated this year! It’s going ‘UP’ on February 10!”

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The Recording Academy ™ and CBS announced today that 15-time GRAMMY ® Award winner Alicia Keys will host the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards ®, marking her first time as master of ceremonies for Music’s Biggest Night ®. Taking place at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, the GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast live in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

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“I know what it feels like to be on that stage, and I’m going to bring that vibe and energy,” said Keys. “I’m so excited to be the master of ceremonies on the biggest night in music and celebrate the creativity, power and, magic. I’m especially excited for all the incredible women nominated this year! It’s going ‘UP’ on February 10!”

“A dynamic artist with the rare combination of groundbreaking talent and passion for her craft, Alicia Keys is the perfect choice as host for our show,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. “Throughout her exciting career, I have watched her become a powerful force within the music industry and beyond. As an artist who speaks to the power of music, we are thrilled to have her on board for what’s sure to be an unforgettable GRAMMY Awards.”

“Alicia is one of those rare artists who meld true musical genius with heartfelt emotional lyrics to create a unique approach to everything she does. We have no doubt that she’ll bring all of that as she guides millions of GRAMMY viewers through what we believe will be a very special show in February,” said longtime GRAMMY Awards Executive Producer Ken Ehrlich.

Keys is a modern-day Renaissance woman—a 15-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer/songwriter/musician/producer, an accomplished actress, a New York Times best-selling author, a film/ television and Broadway producer, an entrepreneur, and a powerful force in the world of activism. Since the release of her monumental 2001 debut album, Songs In A Minor, Keys has sold more than 30 million records and built an unparalleled repertoire of hits and accomplishments.

 

Advancing Racial Equality and Economic Inclusion in the District

Join the conversation at tomorrows symposium on Race & Policy.

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Advancing Racial Equity and Economic Inclusion in the District.  That’s the goal of a symposium coming up tomorrow in SE.  My guest this morning is Kenyan McDuffie – Ward 5 DC City Councilman

The Symposium on Race & Policy. Advancing Racial Equity and Economic Inclusion in the District is Thursday, January 17thfrom 10am to 2pm at the Rise Demonstration Center – 2730 MLK Avenue, SE.  For more information or to RSVP go here:

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

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

Listen to this mornings segment here:

 

Thousands of IRS Employees Ordered Back To Work w/o Pay and Celebrity Chef Jose Andres Opens Free Pop Up Kitchen For Furlough Families

In the News @ 10
Thousands of IRS employee ordered back to work w/o pay…
Celebrity chef Jose Andres opens free pop up kitchen for furlough families…
DC judge decides Gov’t can not be forced to pay essential workers during furlough…

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Thousands of IRS employee ordered back to work w/o pay…

The IRS will be ready for the tax season despite the partial government shutdown. Forty-six thousand IRS workers have been told to return to work and they will not be paid during the furlough. Their mission is to process and send out tax refund checks on time.

FAA workers were also given the same directive. Nearly 3,000 safety employees will have to return to their jobs without pay. The staff includes inspectors and other safety workers. Since the furlough began 26 days ago, some 24,000 vital air traffic controllers have been working to keep the friendly skies safe. The most recent numbers by the agency show close to 14,000 of its 44,000 work force remain on the job.

DC judge decides government can not be forced to pay essential workers during furlough…

A federal judge in the District of Columbia has decided that the federal government can not be forced to pay essential employees working without pay during the partial government shutdown. The National Treasury Employee Union filed the suit claiming, making employees work without pay is unconstitutional. The judge, however, stated that allowing employees deemed essential to not come to work would create chaos and confusion.

There are several similar lawsuits that have been filed by employee unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.

Celebrity Chef Jose Andres opens free pop up kitchen for furlough families…

Celebrity Chef Jose Andres is launching “Chefs for Feds.” It’s a pop up kitchen in the District for the hundreds of thousands of furloughed federal workers.

In 2010, Chef Andres founded World Central Kitchen after the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti. Since then his team has traveled all over the world helping after natural disasters.  This time it’s a man made one.

The pop up kitchen opens today and will remain open daily until the partial government shutdown is over. The hours are from 11 am to 6 pm at 701 Pennsylvania Avenue. The menu will change daily.

On the menu for today: Toasted ham and cheese sandwiches with fried egg and roasted garlic aioli, a quinoa power bowl, and a roasted fennel and tomato soup.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

IRS Recalls About 46,000 Workers To Handle Tax Returns

An IRS document detailing its new shutdown plan shows that 46,052 agency employees will be called back to work, of the total workforce of 80,265. It says the plan will take effect as soon as the Treasury Department issues an official notice.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Internal Revenue Service is recalling about 46,000 of its employees furloughed by the government shutdown — nearly 60 percent of its workforce — to handle tax returns and pay out refunds. The employees won’t be paid during the shutdown.

With the official start of the tax filing season coming Jan. 28, the Trump administration has promised that taxpayers owed refunds will be paid on time, despite the disruption in government services caused by the partial shutdown now in its fourth week.

There had been growing concern that the shutdown would delay refunds worth hundreds of billions of dollars because the money wouldn’t be available for them from Congress. But last week, the administration said customary shutdown policies will be reversed to make the money available to pay refunds on time.

An IRS document detailing its new shutdown plan shows that 46,052 agency employees will be called back to work, of the total workforce of 80,265. It says the plan will take effect as soon as the Treasury Department issues an official notice.

Only about 10,000 employees are deemed essential and have been working.

Some 800,000 federal employees have been furloughed or are working without pay. President Donald Trump didn’t budge Tuesday from his demand to have Congress provide $5.7 billion to build his promised border wall with Mexico. Democrats say they will discuss border security once the government has reopened, but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is refusing money for the wall Democrats view as ineffective and immoral.

About three-quarters of U.S. taxpayers receive annual refunds, giving them an incentive to file their returns early. Many lower-income people count on refunds as their biggest cash infusion of the year. Overall, refunds average $2,800.

The issue is politically sensitive. The massive tax law enacted by Republicans in Congress in late 2017, which is President Donald Trump’s signature legislative achievement, gave generous tax cuts to corporations and the wealthiest Americans and more modest reductions to middle- and low-income households. The law is expected to bring lower taxes for 2018 for the great majority of Americans, and the refunds are a big tangible part of that.

Trump told supporters on a conference call Tuesday that his administration has been working to minimize the painful impacts of the shutdown. “People are actually amazed that, with this many people, that government is really working so well. So we’re very proud of that,” he said.

Angered over employees having to work without pay, the union representing IRS staff sued in federal court last week to challenge any such agency action on constitutional grounds. The Constitution doesn’t allow the government to obligate funds that haven’t been provided by Congress, and the executive branch “can’t continue to force more and more employees to show up in exchange only for an IOU,” the National Treasury Employees Union said.

On Tuesday, a federal judge rejected the union’s challenge, declining to force the government to pay the recalled employees.

Some experts question whether the administration has the legal authority to reverse earlier policies to allow the government to issue tax refunds during a shutdown.

In 2011, the chief counsel at the IRS concluded that such payments were legally allowed during a shutdown. At the time, the White House Office of Management and Budget, under President Barack Obama, rejected that position and directed the IRS not to pay refunds during a shutdown. But the IRS said last week that OMB had reviewed the issue at the Treasury’s Department’s request and now agrees with the IRS counsel’s position that refunds can legally be paid.

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Associated Press writer Jill Colvin contributed to this report.

Wednesday’s Snow Delays

Most students are heading back to classes today as the DMV continues to recover from last weekend’s snowstorm. There are some delays this morning, mainly in Virginia. We have the latest.

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The DMV is slowly getting back to normal following last Saturday’s snowstorm.  Here’s a listing of the closings and delays for Wednesday.

Culpeper County Schools – 2 hours late

Fairfax County Schools – 2 hours late

Loudoun County Schools – 2 hours late

Manassas Park City Schools – 2 hours late

Prince William County Schools – 2 hours late

Rappahannock County Public Schools – 2 hours late

Spotsylvania County Schools – 2 hours late

Stafford County Public Schools – 2 hours late

Warren County Public Schools – 2 hours late

Northwest DC Murder, Attorney General Nominee Testifies, Resolution Denounces White Supremacy

Murder on North Capitol Street
Barr testifies
Congressman reprimanded

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North Capitol & M street shooting

Another murder on the streets of the nation’s capital.
A man was shot and killed today in the 12-hundred block of North Capitol and M streets in Northwest. Police say the shooting took place around three o’clock this afternoon and the victim was in his twenties. Police say it was not a random shooting and that they have identified a suspect. The name of that suspect and the victim have not been released.

William Barr testifies

Attorney General-nominee William Barr says he wants Special Counsel Robert Mueller to complete his investigation of Russian influence in the 2016 presidential campaign.
That was the big issue swirling around President Trump’s attorney general nominee. During his Senate confirmation hearing today, Barr argued it’s in the country’s best interest for Mueller to produce a final report. Barr said he would refuse a presidential direction to fire Mueller without good cause.  He added that President Trump sought no promises or commitments from him before his nomination and that his allegiance is to the rule of law.  If confirmed, Barr would replace Matt Whitaker, who has served as interim Attorney General since President Trump fired Jeff Sessions shortly after last years mid-term elections.

Congressman denounced for racist comments

The nation will officially celebrate it as national holiday next Monday, but today is the actual 90th birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Coincidentally, a Congressman named King, first name Steve, was officially reprimanded for racists remarks. The House of Representative passed a resolution today rejecting white nationalism and white supremacy. In a recent New York Times article, Steve King wondered when white supremacy and white nationalist became offensive language. The Iowa congressman has been accused of making racists comments in the past. King was stripped of his committee assignments by Republicans, Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney said she’d like to see King “find another line of work,” and Tim Scott, the Senate’s only black Republican, applauded the action taken against King.

Insight Making The Best Financial Decisions For Your Family

Tonight’s guest Ibijoke Akinbowale-Director with NCRC Financial Equality Center and Housing Counseling Network and Muriel Garr with Beyong Bling HUR Voicess with Sirius XM Ch. 141 offering financial advice in the midst of the government shutdown.

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Have you been under a lot financial stress? The government shutdown has been very frustrating to so many people who have been impacted. Our guest tonight, will offer some financial counseling. Many families are concerned about how to make ends meet. Tonight, we’re talking about financial tips. Joining us tonight…

 

Guest: Muriel Garr-Co-Host of Beyond the Bling on HUR Voices Sirius XM Ch. 141

Website:murielgarr.com

Instagram:@beyondthebling

 

Guest: Ibijoke (E-BE-JOE-KAY) Akinbowale (A-KIN-BOW-WALL-EE) –Director of NCRC Financial Equality Center and Housing Counseling Network

Website: ncrc.org

Housing Counseling for Individuals Affected by the Government Shutdown.

NCRC’s Financial Equality Center(FEC) is a HUD certified Housing Counseling agency in the District of Columbia. Through a staff of highly trained Mortgage Advisors, the department provides housing counseling and coaching for individuals and families seeking to obtain, retain and sustain the American Dream of homeownership and financial resiliency.

Join us on Friday, January 18, 2019 from 10am to 1pm.

727 15th St. NW (8th Floor Conference Room) ,Washington, DC 20005

Phone: 1-800-475-NCRC

Breakfast will be provided, and gift cards will be provided to all individuals who complete an intake packet.

FEC will assist homeowners who have fallen behind or are in danger of falling behind on their mortgage payments due to the government shutdown or other financial hardships.  Housing Counselors can assist homeowners with addressing delinquencies and defaults with.

We will also discuss financial planning and debt management.  This event is open to federal government employees and contractors

Community’s Choice for the Week of January 13th, 2019

MLK Celebration, AKA Pink Goes Red Party, and Montgomery County Summer Camps. 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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Family Justice Center

The Prince George’s County Family Justice Center, an initiative of the Circuit court invites the community to a forum on human trafficking January 30th at the Langley Park Multi-Service Center. www.princgeorgescourts.org

MLK Celebration

Honor the Life of Dr. King. Come out January 21st to Montgomery County‘s Annual MLK Celebration at the Music Center at Strathmore. www.montgomerycountymd.gov

United Way Mentor Appreciation

The 5th Annual Mentor Appreciation and Recruitment Event is January 24th at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery. It’s hosted by the United Way of the National Capital Area. www.unitedwaynca.org

Mercy Center

Be a part of the solution to help those in need. Join the Mercy Grace Center January 24th for a Wine & Cheese Networking Event in Landover. www.themgcenter.org

AKA Pink Goes Red Party

Support efforts to combat heart disease. Join Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for its Pink Goes Red Party February 2nd at the American Legion in Frederick. www.chitauomega.com

Women’s Winter Coat Drive

The Historical Tapestry of African American Communities is hosting a Women’s Winter Coat Drive and Pop Up Shop January 19th at the Seat Pleasant Activity Center. 301-235-9411

Montgomery County Summer Camp

Take a break from the cold. Join Montgomery County Recreation for its free Summer Camp Fair January 26th at the Nancy Dacek (day-cek)North Potomac Community Recreation Center in Rockville. www.activemontgomery.org

MLK Celebration

The 38th Annual MLK Banquet Celebration in honor of the 90th birthday of Dr. King is January 20th at the Holiday Inn in College Park. It’s hosted by the Prince George’s County Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. www.sclcpgc.org

Kandi Burruss And Tamar Braxton Join Celebrity ‘Big Brother’ Cast

The show follows a group of celebrities living together in a house outfitted with over 80 HD cameras and 100 microphones recording their every move 24 hours a day while they have no contact with the outside world. Each week one or more is voted out and the last one standing wins the $250,000 prize.

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Olympic champion swimmer Ryan Lochte is among the cast announced for the second season of “Big Brother: Celebrity Edition.”

Other house members announced Sunday by CBS include former NFL star Ricky Williams, Olympian Lolo Jones and former WWE wrestler Natalie Eva Marie.

The rest of the cast is actor Jonathan Bennett, singers and reality TV personalities Tamar Braxton and Kandi Burruss, comedian Tom Green, actor and former O.J. Simpson houseguest Kato Kaelin, actor Joey Lawrence, Lindsay Lohan’s mother Dina Lohan, and former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci.

The show follows a group of celebrities living together in a house outfitted with over 80 HD cameras and 100 microphones recording their every move 24 hours a day while they have no contact with the outside world. Each week one or more is voted out and the last one standing wins the $250,000 prize.

The second season begins with a two-night premiere on Jan. 21-22. Julie Chen Moonves returns as host.

Celine Dion Pulls Collaboration With R. Kelly Off Streaming Services

The five-time Grammy Award winner removed the 1998 hit “I’m Your Angel” following all the backlash since the controversial docuseries “Surviving R. Kelly” aired. 

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Celine Dion is the latest celebrity to pull her R. Kelly collaboration off streaming services. The five-time Grammy Award winner removed the 1998 hit “I’m Your Angel” following all the backlash since the controversial docuseries “Surviving R. Kelly” aired.

The song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for 6 weeks. It went certified platinum and sold more than 1.5 million copies. It was also nominated for a Grammy.

Lady Gaga announced last week she decided to remove her collaboration wit R. Kelly from streaming services. Chance the Rapper, Tank, Ne-Yo and Omarion all made public comments speaking out against R. Kelly.

Desperate Parents And Discount Marijuana: DC In A Shutdown

“What keeps us up at night is not the work we know we have to do in weeks one and two,” Deputy City Administrator Kevin Donahue said. It’s the unpredictable impacts of weeks four and five and onward, he said, with the potential for mass restaurant closures or residents missing payments on rent, mortgages, car loans or school fees.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — No city experiences a shutdown quite like Washington.

Besides the economic impact, a shutdown warps the nation’s capital on a cultural, recreational and logistical level — touching everybody from garbage collectors to young parents, prospective newlyweds to aspiring Eagle Scouts.

The current partial shutdown , now in a record fourth week, has also provided a quiet boon for Mayor Muriel Bowser’s government, which rushed into the void to claim unprecedented new powers while making a public show of literally cleaning up the federal government’s mess.

The economic situation is, of course, brutal. Recent surveys estimate that the federal government directly employs more than 364,000 people in the greater Washington area including northern Virginia and southern Maryland. The District of Columbia alone — population 700,000 — contains more than 102,000 jobs in agencies that are now without appropriations funding.

Deputy City Administrator Kevin Donahue made the analogy to the main plant shutting down in a factory town — with the subsequent knock-on effect through the service industries like restaurants, food trucks, entertainment and taxis.

“What keeps us up at night is not the work we know we have to do in weeks one and two,” Donahue said. It’s the unpredictable impacts of weeks four and five and onward, he said, with the potential for mass restaurant closures or residents missing payments on rent, mortgages, car loans or school fees.

Most immediately, the shutdown created a logistical and public health problem. The district is riddled with National Park Service land, ranging from the National Mall to urban green spaces like Dupont Circle and dozens of neighborhood parks.

Washington sanitation crews now empty the trash bins at 122 separate NPS sites — three times a day in the case of the bins at the National Mall. It’s costing at least $54,000 per week in overtime, and Donahue said there’s a handshake agreement dating back to previous shutdowns that Washington will be compensated when the government reopens. The NPS recently announced it would tap into other funds to resume its own trash pickup at some — but not all — of the Washington sites.

“There’s a past practice of reimbursement,” Donahue said. “But they don’t have a legal obligation to compensate us.”

Given Washington’s tortured relationship with the federal government, which can essentially alter or block any local law, city officials have seemingly relished the chance to highlight the ironies of the moment. They frequently claim they are treated by Congress as if they can’t handle their own affairs; now they’re taking over and covering for a dysfunctional central government.

“When the federal government shuts down, we step up,” Bowser said during a Jan. 4 news conference with Washington’s nonvoting congressional delegate, Eleanor Holmes Norton, to announce a renewed push this year for district statehood.

The shutdown cuts a cultural swath through the lives of city residents. The entire Smithsonian network of museums, including the zoo , closed their doors about a week into the shutdown, and quasi-federal entities like the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts have severely cut back their hours.

On a recent weekend, the usual Saturday morning kids’ drumming workshop at the BloomBars cultural center in Columbia Heights drew nearly triple the usual crowd, with parents and strollers lined halfway up the block in the rain. The reason: desperate parents searching for something to occupy their kids in a city where more than a dozen free museums and the zoo have been shuttered.

“It happens every time,” laughed BloomBars founder John Chambers, who recalls an identical spike during the 16-day 2013 shutdown. “But this time it feels like there’s more of a panic among people because (this shutdown) genuinely seems open-ended.”

The district is littered with shutdown specials — offering furloughed federal employees discounts on everything from food and drink to live theater and medical marijuana .

Examples of unexpected shutdown fallout are all around. High school senior Yosias Zelalem was all set to secure his Eagle Scout rank with a project to repair park benches along the Mount Vernon Trail. But his liaison at the NPS has been furloughed and the project is frozen.

“I didn’t really think about it until New Year’s came and went,” said Zelalem, who needs to complete the project before he turns 18 on March 27. “I honestly didn’t expect it to go on this long. Now everybody’s talking like this could go for months.”

One of the more random side-effects of shutdown: the closure of the marriage bureau.

Bowser told The Associated Press that even she was surprised to learn that local couples couldn’t get their marriage licenses because Congress funds the local court system. Divorce proceedings, however, were unaffected.

Bowser quickly tapped allies on the Council of the District of Columbia to pass emergency legislation called the Let Our Vows Endure (LOVE) act, which granted her administration the right to issue marriage licenses. In addition to an enjoyable public victory that drew national attention, Bowser’s administration just stepped into the federal void to claim a whole new power ahead of an impending district statehood push.

At a recent event to sign the LOVE act into law, Bowser — flanked by grateful newlyweds — said, “Just so my team knows, we’re probably going to want to keep that power.”

Nobody laughed and she didn’t seem to be joking.

A Second Day Of School Closures And Delays, The President’s Choice For AG Appears On The Hill

In the News @ 10
A second day of school closures and delays…
The Presidents choice for AG appears on the hill…
Lawmakers reprimand Congressman King for racist comments…

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A second day of school closures and delays…

The lingering snow and icy conditions prompted area school leaders to again delay or cancel classes today. The school systems closed today were all in Virginia. They include Arlington, Culpeper, Fauquier, Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Manassas City public schools.

On a 2-hour delay in Maryland are Prince George’s, Charles, Anne Arundel, St. Mary’s, Anne Arundel and Calvert County schools. In Virginia, the schools with a delayed start this morning are Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Prince William, and Loudoun County schools. You can always keep up to date on school closings and delays online at whur.com.

The Presidents choice for AG appears on the hill…

Today President Trump’s choice for the new Attorney General is due to appear on the hill. William Barr is expected to be grilled by Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Barr who Trump nominated to replaced ousted Attorney General Jeff Sessions served as Attorney General during the administration of President George H.W. Bush. There is some concern over his nomination because of his comments of Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s probe in the Russian meddling in the 2016 Presidential election.

Lawmakers reprimand Congressman King for racist comments…

The house is preparing to hold a vote today on whether or not to punish Republican Congressman Steve King for racist comments he made in a newspaper. King’s comments have drawn bi partisan backlash. King has been stripped of his committee’s by his own party.

King is back in the spotlight for questioning why the terms “white nationalist” and “white supremacist” were offensive. He later said he rejected those ideologies but it was too late many on both sides of the aisle believe the Iowa Republican who has a history of making racist comments should step down.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

Netflix Raising Prices For 58M US Subscribers As Costs Rise

Its most popular plan will see the largest hike, to $13 per month from $11. That option offers high-definition streaming on up to two different internet-connected devices simultaneously. Even at the higher price, that plan is still a few dollars cheaper than HBO, whose streaming service charges $15 per month.

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Netflix is raising its U.S. prices by 13 percent to 18 percent, its biggest increase since the company launched its streaming service 12 years ago.

Its most popular plan will see the largest hike, to $13 per month from $11. That option offers high-definition streaming on up to two different internet-connected devices simultaneously. Even at the higher price, that plan is still a few dollars cheaper than HBO, whose streaming service charges $15 per month.

The extra cash will help to pay for Netflix’s huge investment in original shows and films and finance the heavy debt it has assumed to ward off rivals such as Amazon, Disney and AT&T.

This marks the fourth time that Netflix has raised its U.S. prices; the last hike came in late 2017 . But this is the first time that higher prices will hit all 58 million U.S. subscribers, the number Netflix reported at the end of September.

Previously, Netflix had continued to offer a basic, $8-a-month streaming plan while raising rates on more comprehensive plans with better video quality and options to watch simultaneously on different devices.

This time, the price for the cheapest plan is going up to $9 per month. A premium plan offering ultra-high definition will jump to $16 per month from $14.

The new prices will immediately affect all new subscribers and then roll out to existing customers during the next three months. Customers in about 40 Latin America countries where Netflix bills in U.S. currency will also be affected, excepting key international markets such as Mexico and Brazil.

Netflix had nearly 79 million subscribers outside the U.S. as of September.

Higher prices could alienate subscribers and possibly even trigger a wave of cancelations. For instance, Netflix faced a huge backlash in 2011 when it unbundled video streaming from its older DVD-by-mail service, resulting in a 60 percent price increase for subscribers who wanted to keep both plans. Netflix lost 600,000 subscribers after that switch.

The company is now betting it can gradually raise its prices, bolstered by a string of acclaimed hits during that past five years that have included “House of Cards,” ″Orange Is The New Black,” ″Stranger Things,” ″The Crown” and, most recently, the film “Bird Box.”

“We change pricing from time to time as we continue investing in great entertainment and improving the overall Netflix experience,” the company said in a statement.

Consumers also have an increasing array of other streaming options .

Amazon offers a streaming service as part of its Prime shipping program for $13 per month, or $120 for an annual membership. Hulu sells an ad-free service for $12 per month. AT&T’s WarnerMedia unit plans a broader streaming service this year centered on HBO. Walt Disney is gearing up to launch a streaming channel this year.

With Apple also widely expected to join the video-streaming fray, the competition for programming is enabling top directors, writers and actors to charge more for their talents. That has intensified financial pressure on Netflix, which hasn’t been bringing in enough money to pay for all its programming and other business expenses.

The company burned through about $3 billion last year and is expecting to do so again this year. To offset the negative cash flow, Netflix has been borrowing heavily to pay for programming. The Los Gatos, California, company had accumulated nearly $12 billion in debt before borrowing another $2 billion in an October bond offering.

Concerns about the stiffening competition and Netflix’s ability to sustain its current leadership in video streaming has caused the company’s stock price to slide by 21 percent from its peak of $423.21 reached last June. The shares stood at $332.94 heading into Tuesday’s trading session.

Getting Your Financial House in Order for The New Year

The Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University course starts Thursday January 24th.

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Artistic Empowerment Centers, Inc. is offering a program to help artists get your financial house in order.  I’m talking with the Executive Director this morning about this free opportunity to take a 9-week financial literacy course.  My guest this morning is Carlyncia Peck – Founder and Executive Director of the Artistic Empowerment Centers, Inc.

Artistic Empowerment Centers, Inc. is sponsoring 8 deserving households to take the Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University.  The 9 week course starts Thursday, January 24thto help attendees learn about how to pay off debt, budgeting, saving, investing, and more.  For more information go here:

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

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

Listen to this mornings segment here:

Segment 1:

Segment 2:

Organizations Providing Resources For Furloughed Employees

In the midst of a snow storm families are in need of resources during the government shutdown. Our guest Rosie Allen Herring, Radha Mushiah and Deborah Chambers will give us a list of resources that will be helpful for many families.

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Lately, it’s been pretty devastating for many people during the government shutdown. Families are concerned about food, rent, toiletries, utilities and other daily needs. Our guest tonight, will talk about how they are assisting the community with a list of resources. Our guest tonight..

Rosie Allen-Herring President and CEO of United Way National Capital Area

Website: unitedwaynca.org

@UWNCA

@unitedwaynca

About United Way

Washington, DC (January 10, 2019)—United Way of the National Capital Area (United Way NCA) today announced the launch of its Emergency Assistance Fund, making available an initial $50,000 that will provide additional capacity to select nonprofit organizations providing vital food, rent and other assistance, which are facing an increased demand for services due to the government shutdown crisis. United Way NCA is calling on the community—both corporate partners and individuals in the region—to join the organization by matching its pledge or contributing. Pepco was first to respond with a $50,000 matching grant to the Emergency Assistance Fund, and the United Way NCA expects more will follow. In addition, United Way NCA invites all of those affected to visit its regional network of Financial Empowerment Centers (FEC) for individual financial counseling and guidance.

Radha (RA-DA) Mushiah (MU-SI-YA)-President & CEO of Capital Area Food Bank

Website: capitalareafoodbank.com

@capitalareafoodbank

@foodbankmetrodc

Deborah Chambers-Vice President of Development & Partnerships with Central Union Mission

Website: missiondc.org

Instagram: centralunionmission

Twitter: centralunionmission

Central Union Mission invites furloughed federal employees in need of
food to visit our Family Ministry Center (3194-B Bladensburg Rd., NE, Washington, DC), Monday through Thursday from 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm. Groceries will be available while supplies last through our Emergency Referral Program. People seeking assistance must bring a government-issued I.D. and agency work badge/ID. Families affected by SNAP shortages can show their food stamp card and I.D.”

DMV Cleans Up Following Snow Storm, Partial Shutdown Hits TSA Hard, Celebrity Chef To Help Federal Workers

DMV snow impact
No movement on shutdown
Help for federal workers

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The day after the big snow fall

The clean up has begun after the biggest storm to hit the DMV since the blizzard of January 2016.  Nearly a foot of snow falling this weekend in the area.  Federal offices and most public school systems in the region were closed today. Metro providing bus service only on major roads today, but Metrorail service running on a normal schedule. The sun melted a good amount of snow today, but dropping temperatures tonight means melting snow will turn to ice, making the roadways dicey tonight and early tomorrow morning.  Hundreds of crashes reported across Maryland and Virginia due to the winter storm. Maryland state police report close to 300 crashes statewide and more than one-thousand calls for service. Officials in Virginia say they’ve responded to more than 300 crashes and nearly 200 drivers whose cars were stuck or disabled.

Day 24 of partial government shutdown

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history is now at 24 days. U.S. House and Senate members returned to work today, but no votes on any measures to reopen the government and no meetings between President Trump and congressional leaders. About a fourth of the federal government is shut down and some 800-thousand workers are either furloughed or having to work without getting paid.   Meantime, the TSA closed some security checkpoints today at Washington Dulles International Airport due to staff absences. Officials say some of those absences are a result of this weekends snowstorm, though officials concede there has also been an increase in TSA employees calling out sick during the partial shutdown.

Popular chef to offer free food for furloughed workers

Chef Jose Andres is opening a temporary kitchen in DC to feed furloughed federal workers who aren’t getting a paycheck during the partial government shutdown. Andres announced today that his nonprofit, World Central Kitchen, will open up shop on the 700-block of Pennsylvania Avenue to feed workers. The kitchen will feature a menu of free sandwiches, soups and salads for workers who present a government ID.

More Delays and Closings: Weekend Snowstorm Continues to Impact Schools

Here’s a listing of what’s closed and delayed for Tuesday.

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Alexandria Schools – 2 hours late

Anne Arundel Community College – Opens at 11am

Anne Arundel County Schools – 2 hours late

Arlington County Schools – closed.  Offices will open at 10am

Berkeley County Schools – 2 hours late

Bullis School – 2 hours late

Calvert County Schools – 2 hours late

Charles County Schools – 2 hours late

Clarke County Schools – 2 hours late

Culpepper County Schools – closed

DC Government – On Time

DC Public Schools – On Time

Fairfax City Government – Open/liberal leave

Fairfax County Schools – 2 hours late

Falls Church Government – Open/liberal leave

Falls Church Schools – 2 hours late

Fauquier County Schools – Closed

Federal Government in DC Area – 2 hours late arrival (this does not apply to furloughed employees)

Frederick County Schools – 2 hours late

Fredericksburg Public Schools – Closed

Gallaudet University – Opens at 10am

Georgetown University – Open/liberal leave

Geneva Day School – Opens at 10am

Howard Middle School Math/Science – 2 hours late

King George County School – Closed Tuesday

Loudoun County Schools – 2 hours late

Manassas City Schools – closed

Manassas Park City Schools – 2 hours late

Montgomery County Schools – 2 hours late

Northern Va Community College – Opens at 11am

Page County Schools – 2 hours late

Prince George’s County Schools – 2 hours late

Riverdale Baptist School – 2 hours late

Shabach Ministries Schools – 2 hours late Shenandoah County Schools – 2 hours late

Spotsylvania County Government – Open/liberal leave

Spotsylvania County Schools – Closed

Stafford County Public Schools – closed

St. Mary’s County Schools – Opens 2 hours late

University of Mary Washington – Opens at 9:30am

US District Court DC – Opens at 10am

Warren County Public Schools – 2 hours late

Montgomery County Parks Are Seeking Tour Guide Volunteers

Come out to the County’s Volunteer Fair taking place this Saturday

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I have details this morning on how you can share your love for history, the great outdoors, and become a trained Montgomery County Parks volunteer tour guide.  The county is looking for a few good men and women to help out.  My guest is Shirl Spicer – Museum Manager for the Montgomery County Department of Parks

Montgomery County Parks is looking for a few volunteers. The county is hosting a Volunteer Fair Saturday, January 19thfrom 10:30am to 1:30pm at the Olney Community Library – 3500 Olney-Laytonsville Road in Olney.  For more information go here:

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

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

Listen to this mornings segment here:

 

Schools And Universities Are Closed Due to Snow And Ice, Five People Shot In DC, Three Killed

In the news @ 10
Schools and universities are closed due to the snow and ice…
Five people shot in DC, three killed…

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Schools and universities are closed due to the snow and ice…

The Metropolitan area received alot more snow than they expected over the weekend. The snow totals from the wintery blast equaled to 8.8 inches in DC, 11 inches in Rockville and over 12 inches in parts of Virginia.

At 7 this morning officials with the Frederick County, Maryland public school had a change of heart. They went from a 2 hour delay to closed today. Frederick County Public schools join every major school system in our area with the decision to cancel classes today. All of our major universities and colleges did the same.

The section of the Federal Government not closed due to the partial government shutdown is closed today. Emergency and tele-work employee’s are expected to work. Forecaster’s are predicting there could be more delays and closures tomorrow morning as a result of refreezing on the roads.

Five people shot in DC, three killed…

Despite the winter weather DC has recorded three more homicides over the weekend. On Sunday, detectives say a man and a woman were found shot in a car. The two victims a male and female were rushed to a nearby hospital were they were pronounced dead. the shooting happened on Forrester Street in SW.

On Saturday, three people were shot in Northeast. One person was fatally injured. Investigators say the victims include two male teens one 16 and the other 18-years-old. A 22-year-old male is the victim that died in this incident. There is a $25,000 reward being offered for information in this murder.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

Monday’s Closings and Delays

It’s a Monday snow day for thousands of youngsters in the DMV courtesy of Old Man Winter. Here’s a listing of school delays and closings

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Monday’s Closings:

Alexandria City Public Schools

Anne Arundel County Government

Anne Arundel County Schools

Arlington County Government

Arlington Public Schools

Bowie State Universiy

Calvert County Government 2 hour delay

Calvert County Schools Closed

Charles County Public Schools

DC Government

DC Public Schools Closed

Excellence Christian School

Fairfax County Public Schools

Federal Government Offices In DC Area

Fredericksburg City Public Schools

Gallaudet University

George Washington University

Howard County Public Schools

Howard University will be closed Monday.

King George County Schools

Kipp DC

Manassas City Schools

Manassas Park Public Schools

Montgomery County Public Schools

Northern Virginia Community College

Page County Public Schools

Prince George’s County Circuit Court Closed

Prince George’s County Government 2 hour delay

Prince George’s County Public Schools

Prince William County Government

Prince William County Schools

Rappahannock County Public Schools

Shabach Ministries Schools

Shenandoah County Schools

Spotsylvania County Government Opening at 12pm

Spotsylvania County Public Schools

St. Anne’s Academy for Girls – Gainesville

St. Marys County Public Schools

Stafford County Government

Stafford County Public Schools

Trinity University

University of Mary Washington

Warren County Public Schools

Woodstream Christian Academy

Snow Blankets the DMV Forcing Church Delayed Openings and Cancellations

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The Following Worship Services Are Canceled Today:

Antioch Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro

Dale City Christian Church Academy

First New Hope Baptist Church

Fort Foote Baptist Church

Greater Little Zion Baptist Church

Greater Little Zion Baptist Church

Howard University Rankin Chapel

Kent Baptist Church

Life Covenant Christian Ministries

Macedonia Baptist Church

Metropolitan Baptist Church

Salem Baptist Church

Second Baptist Church Southwest

Second Baptist Church in Falls Church

The Gathering at Forestville

The Master’s Child Church, Inc

How To Get Rid Of The Clutter In Your Home

What’s the best what to reduce clutter in your home? What’s the psychology behind hoarding?

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Is your home a mess?  Do you have clothes piled up, papers everywhere, clutter and chaos with your belongings?  How do you find what you need when you need it?  How do you get your house in order… literally?  We have help for you.

Resources:

Clean Out ASAP: http://www.cleanoutasap.com/

Dr. Nicole Cutts, Licensed Clinical Psychologist: http://www.cuttsconsulting.com/about.html

Sasha Blanche, Professional Home Organizer & Co-Owner, Clean Out ASAP
Samantha Dominique, Professional Home Organizer & Co-Owner, Clean Out ASAP

Dr. Nicole Cutts, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Preparations and Warming Centers As the DMV Braces for Snow

The National Weather Service is predicting several inches of snow will blanket the DMV over the weekend. Local government are jumping to action to keep residents safe and warm. Here’s a listing of centers where you can go to escape “Old Man Winter.”

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(WASHINGTON, DC) – With the National Weather Service (NWS) forecasting two to four inches of snow in the District this weekend, beginning sometime Saturday afternoon and continuing into Sunday, Mayor Bowser has deployed the DC Snow Team to begin pre-treatment of roads.  The Mayor has ordered the deployment of more than 200 trucks to pre-treat all District roads on Saturday, January 12. The DC Snow Team will continue its deployment through Sunday evening, treating and plowing roads as necessary. Residents and motorists can register to receive important weather alerts from the District on their devices by signing up for AlertDC at www.alertdc.dc.gov.

Despite the continuation of the partial government shutdown, the National Park Service will be bringing in personnel to cover the network of roads, sidewalks and pathways under the responsibility of the federal agency, as is their normal snow plan.

The DC Snow Team encourages residents and commercial property owners to apply abrasives such as rock salt, de-icer, or non-clumping kitty litter to the sidewalks around their properties to reduce the possibility of icing and to prevent slips and falls. After the storm, property owners are also asked to shovel their sidewalks.  To report any concerns, residents should call the Citywide Call Center by dialing 311.

For more information about DC’s snow program and preparing for winter weather, or to see where District Snow Team plows are working, go to www.snow.dc.gov. Ongoing updates are also posted on the social media accounts of the Department of Public Works (DPW): Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Hypothermia Alert and Shelters in DC

The District has activated the Hypothermia Alert and the alert will stay activated throughout the weekend. Hypothermia alerts are activated when the NWS forecasted temperature, including wind chill, is or will be 32° F or below; or, when the temperature is forecasted to be 40° F or below, and the forecasted chance of precipitation is fifty percent or greater.

Low-Barrier Shelters for individuals operate year-round and will be open 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. If a Hypothermia Alert is issued, all shelters are open all day and will remain open during the extent of the Hypothermia Alert.

Men
New York Avenue Shelter at 1355 New York Avenue, NE
801 East Shelter at 801 Making Life Better Lane, SE
Adams Place Emergency Shelter at 2210 Adams Place, NE
Community for Creative Non Violence (CCNV) at 425 Second Street, NW (Drop In Center is open only during Hypothermia Alert)

Women
Nativity Shelter for Women at 6010 Georgia Avenue, NW (Opens at 7:00 p.m.)
Harriet Tubman at 1900 Massachusetts Avenue, SE Building #27
Patricia Handy Place for Women at 810 5th Street, NW
Community for Creative Non Violence (CCNV) at the 425 Second Street, NW (Drop In Center is open only during Hypothermia Alert)

Seasonal Shelters are open daily from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., November 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019.

Women
King Greenleaf Recreation Center at 201 N Street, SW

Co-Ed
The Salvation Army at 3335 Sherman Avenue, NW
Malcolm X Recreation Center (Co-Ed) at 1351 Alabama Ave, SE

Hypothermia Shelters are open from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. anytime a Hypothermia Alert is called, except in recreation centers, where, due to previously scheduled programming, the shelter opens at 9:00 p.m.

Men
Community for Creative Non-Violence (CCNV) at 425 Second Street, NW
Banneker Recreation Center at 2500 Georgia Avenue, NW (Monday – Friday; 9:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.)
Kennedy Recreation Center at 1401 7th Street NW (Monday – Friday; 9:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.)
Malcolm X Recreation Center (Co-Ed) at 1351 Alabama Ave, SE
Salvation Army (Co-Ed) at 3335 Sherman Ave, NW

Women
New Covenant Baptist at 1301 W Street, SE
Sherwood Recreation Center at 640 10th St, NE (Monday – Friday; 9:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.)
Community of Christ at 3526 Massachusetts Ave, NW
• Malcolm X Recreation Center (Co-Ed) at 1351 Alabama Ave, SE
• Salvation Army (Co-Ed) at 3335 Sherman Ave, NW

Transportation to Warmth and Safety: Free transportation to shelter is provided to anyone experiencing homelessness in the District during a Hypothermia Alert. To request transportation to shelter for people in Washington, DC who are experiencing homelessness, contact the Shelter Hotline by calling (202) 399-7093 or 311. Please include the time, address or location of the person, and a description of the person’s appearance.

Increased Outreach: The Department of Human Services (DHS) will amplify outreach efforts during the weekend to raise awareness about the availability of Hypothermia Shelters.

Families seeking emergency shelter can also visit the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center at 920 Rhode Island Avenue, NE on Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. Families may also call the Shelter Hotline at (202) 399-7093 or 311 at any time day or night.

Over in Prince George’s County,  the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services (PGCDSS) wants to remind residents to review their household safety plans to ensure they are adequately prepared and to keep these important resources handy in the event they encounter someone without heat or shelter during inclement weather.For residents experiencing a heating emergency, warming centers are available throughout the County to provide relief from the cold temperatures. Here’s a listing of warming centers.

Southern Regional Technology and Recreation Complex

7007 Bock Road

Fort Washington, MD 20744

301-749-4160

Temple Hills Community Center

5300 Temple Hill Road

Temple Hills, MD 20748

301-894-6616

 Suitland Community Center

5600 Regency Lane

Forestville, MD 20747

301-736-3518

Cedar Heights Community Center

1200 Glen Willow Drive

Seat Pleasant, MD 20743

301-773-8881

Oakcrest Community Center

1300 Capitol Heights Boulevard

Capitol Heights, MD 20743

301-736-5355

Largo Kettering Perrywood Community Center

431 Watkins Park Drive

Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

301-390-8390

Glenarden Community Center

8615 McLain Avenue

Glendarden, MD 20706

301-772-3151

Kentland Community Center

2413 Pinebrook Avenue

Landover, MD 20785

301-386-2278

Langley Park Community Center

1500 Merrimac Drive

Hyattsville, MD 20783

301-445-4508

Rollingcrest-Chillum Community Center

6120 Sargent Road

Chillum, MD 20782

301-853-2005

John E. Howard Senior Activity Center

4400 Shell Street

Capitol Heights, MD 20743

301-753-3340

Camp Springs Senior Activity Center

6420 Allentown Road

Camp Springs, MD 20748

301-449-0490

Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center

7120 Contee Road

Laurel, MD 20707

301-206-3350

For residents who are unsheltered or who experience a housing emergency, please contact the County’s homeless hotline immediately at 1-888-731-0999 to make arrangements for shelter.

“As the cold winter weather approaches, I want to urge anyone who is in need of shelter or a place to get warm to take advantage of the County’s resources,” said Gloria Brown Burnett, PGCDSS Director. ‘’The Homeless Hotline is available 24 hours a day and our warming centers are in effect any time temperatures fall below 32 degrees. The safety and well being of our residents is our top priority.”

House Approves Bill To Give Affected Govt Employees Back-Pay, Big Snowstorm Sweeps Across U.S.

House Approves Bill To Give Affected Govt Employees Back-Pay. Big Snowstorm Sweeps Across U.S. NFL Divisional Round Set For This Weekend.

Posted by Harold Fisher
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House Approves Bill To Give Affected Govt Employees Back-Pay

(Washington, DC) — The House is giving a green light to a bill guaranteeing that affected federal workers will receive back-pay after the partial government shutdown ends. One-quarter of the government ran out of money on December 22nd. The White House has said President Trump will sign the measure, which was approved by the Senate earlier this week. The Democrat-led House has also approved a fourth bill to re-open parts of the government.

The latest House measure covers the National Parks Service and the EPA. In the Republican-led Senate, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said he will not bring up any bill to re-open the government that does not have the support of President Trump.

Big Snowstorm Sweeps Across U.S.

Residents from Denver to New York City can all expect to see snow from a huge winter storm. Forecasters say the snow won’t let up until Sunday at the earliest. The storm is bearing down on more than 20-million people and it’s heavy enough to snarl traffic on the roads and in the air. St. Louis is expected to get the heaviest snowfall, up to eight inches. Other cities in the storm’s path include Kansas City, Indianapolis, Louisville, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Washington and Baltimore.

NFL Divisional Round Set For This Weekend

The NFL Divisional Round kicks off this weekend with the Indianapolis Colts hitting the road to face the Kansas City Chiefs on early Saturday. The nightcap features the Los Angeles Rams at home against the Dallas Cowboys. Sunday’s matchups have the New England Patriots at home against the Los Angeles Charges in the early game followed by the New Orleans Saints playing at home versus the Philadelphia Eagles. The winners of each game will move to the Conference Championships set for January 20th.

Find Out Where Lyfe Jennings and Jay Pharoah Are Performing In Town This Weekend

Check out some great entertainment taking place in the DMV this weekend

Posted by Bobby Gailes
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Weekend Haps Update

 

  • At Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, check out Lyfe Jennings, tonight and tomorrow, both shows start at 8pm.

 

  • City Winerypresents The Chuck Brown Band tonight, doors open at 6 and the show starts at 8pm.

 

  • Jay Pharoahfrom Saturday Night Live is at the 9:30 Club Showtime is 8pm

 

  • The Delta’s, the AKA’a and the Kappa’sare teaming up to present their “Grown & Sexy Winter Takeover”tonight at the MGM National Harbor Casino Hotel and Theater.This party for a purpose kicks off at 9pm.  More information at:  wintertakeover.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 facebookand twitterat @bobbygailesfor updates and to stay connected.

Listen to this mornings segment here:

Thousands Of Gov’t Workers Miss Their Paycheck Today, R. Kelly’s Daughter Speaks Out

In the News @ 10
Thousands of Gov’t workers miss their paycheck today…
R. Kelly’s daughter speaks out…

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Thousands of Gov’t workers miss their paycheck today…

800,000 Federal Government workers will miss their first pay check since the partial government shutdown began 21 days ago. It’s being felt all across the country.

This morning The Capital Area Food Bank along with Giant Grocery stories announced the creation of free Fresh Food Markets. There will be 5 markets located at Giant stores throughout the Metropolitan area.

Tomorrow between 9 am and Noon. Furloughed workers with their government Id or contractor ID can get food from outside one of 5 Giant store locations while they last. The addresses are: 7074 Allentown Road, Camp Springs, MD 20748, 10480 Campus Way South, Kettering, MD 20774, 1050 Brentwood Road, NE, Washington, DC 20018, 12051 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852, 6800 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22306.

R. Kelly’s daughter Joann speaks out…

R. Kelly’s daughter Joann Kelly also known by family and friends as Buku Abi is speaking out publicaly about her father and sexually allegation regarding him and young girls.

In a long Instagram post yesterday Joann spoke about being estranged from her father. In fact she she that her mother and siblings had not seen him for years. She also called him “terrible” and apologized to those victims who may have felt her silence was support for her father.

Joann called him a monster and said that she has refrained from talking to anyone about her father and the allegations for her own healing and mental health. She said she was of course devastated and wrote, “I do apologize if my silence to all that is happening comes off as careless. “That is my last intention. I pray for all that families & women who have been affected by my father’s actions. Trust. I have been deeply affected by all of this,”.

Joann said she, her mother, sister and brother are in the healing process. She also wrote “The same monster you all confronting me about is my father. I am well aware of who and what he is. I grew up in that house.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

Eyeing 2020, Harris Addresses Prosecutorial Past In Memoir

“It’s a presidential campaign, and every aspect of a candidate’s record is going to be scrutinized and they’re going to have to answer for it,” said Mo Elleithee, a longtime Democratic operative who leads Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service. “She knows that this is something that’s heading her way and a good candidate is one who doesn’t wait for it to hit them. A good candidate is someone who addresses it proactively, and she appears to be doing that.”

Posted by WHUR Contributor
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WASHINGTON (AP) — As she nears a decision on whether to seek the presidency, Sen. Kamala Harris is taking on what could be a hurdle in a Democratic primary: her past as a prosecutor.

In her memoir published Tuesday, the California Democrat describes herself as a “progressive prosecutor” and says it’s a “false choice” to decide between supporting the police and advocating for greater scrutiny of law enforcement. The argument is aimed at liberal critics of her record who argue she was sometimes too quick to side with the police and too slow to adopt sentencing reforms.

“I know that most police officers deserve to be proud of their public service and commended for the way they do their jobs,” Harris writes in “The Truths We Hold.” ″I know how difficult and dangerous the job is, day in and day out, and I know how hard it is for the officers’ families, who have to wonder if the person they love will be coming home at the end of each shift.”

But, she continues, “I also know this: it is a false choice to suggest you must either be for the police or for police accountability. I am for both. Most people I know are for both. Let’s speak some truth about that, too.”

After high-profile fatal shootings involving police officers and unarmed people of color, the criminal justice system’s treatment of minorities is a top issue among Democratic voters. The passage suggests Harris is aware that her seven years as the district attorney in San Francisco, followed by six years as California’s attorney general, is something she will have to explain and signals how she may frame her law enforcement career if she decides to run for the White House.

“It’s a presidential campaign, and every aspect of a candidate’s record is going to be scrutinized and they’re going to have to answer for it,” said Mo Elleithee, a longtime Democratic operative who leads Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service. “She knows that this is something that’s heading her way and a good candidate is one who doesn’t wait for it to hit them. A good candidate is someone who addresses it proactively, and she appears to be doing that.”

Beyond the book, Harris supported legislation that passed the Senate late last year and overhauls the criminal justice system, especially when it comes to sentencing rules.

In the book, Harris recounts an instance when she was an intern at the Alameda County district attorney’s office and an innocent bystander was one of many people arrested during a drug raid. Harris said she “begged” and “pleaded” on a late Friday afternoon for a judge to hear the case so the woman could avoid spending the weekend in jail.

Kate Chatfield, the policy director of the California-based criminal justice reform group Re:store Justice, said Harris did do “some good” when she was in law enforcement, but that it was “incumbent on the public to hold her accountable for the ways in which she either didn’t do enough or actually did some harm.”

“When the conversation shifts, one should be expected to be questioned about those choices,” Chatfield said, noting among other issues Harris’s advocacy for tougher truancy laws.

By addressing policing in the book, Harris is taking on an issue that confronted Democrats and some Republicans in 2016. Democrat Hillary Clinton was criticized for her husband’s role in passing the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which created stricter penalties for drug offenders and funneled billions of dollars toward more police and new prisons.

The issue is likely to be the subject of fierce debate in 2020 as well and could expose divisions among the wide field of candidates — presenting hurdles for some and opportunity for others.

Former Vice President Joe Biden was the head of the Senate’s Judiciary Committee when the 1994 crime bill — which is now criticized as having helped create an era of mass incarceration — was passed and signed into law, which could be an obstacle for him. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker was central to the passage of the Senate’s criminal justice overhaul package and is certain to tout it if he decides to launch a presidential campaign. Meanwhile, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who is also considering a 2020 bid, often refers to her own prosecutorial past.

The memoir — and the publicity surrounding it — will shift the 2020 campaign spotlight to Harris this week after much of the focus has been on her Senate colleague Elizabeth Warren. Last week, the Massachusetts Democrat became the most prominent person yet to take steps toward a presidential run by forming an exploratory committee. Her weekend trip to the leadoff caucus state of Iowa also generated largely flattering headlines.

Some criminal justice advocates said they were happy the issue would get more attention in 2020.

“When we had the 2016 elections, it was at the height of Ferguson and Baltimore, and we still didn’t have serious engagement with criminal justice reform,” said Phillip Atiba Goff, the president of the Center for Policing Equity, referring to the protests that followed the deaths of black men at the hands of police officers in Missouri and Maryland. “My hope is that we require candidates to demonstrate that they know more than the catchphrases of the activists in their bases.”

Surveys underscore the potency of criminal justice issues among Democrats. A February 2018 poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that majorities of Democrats — but far fewer Republicans — think there’s been little progress for African-Americans on criminal justice or policing issues over the past 50 years. The poll showed that 45 percent of Americans, including 62 percent of Democrats and 19 percent of Republicans, thought there had been little to no progress on fair treatment for black Americans by the criminal justice system. Similarly, 46 percent of Americans, including 63 percent of Democrats and 23 percent of Republicans, said there’s been little to no progress for African-Americans on fair treatment by police.

While it’s not yet clear how Harris’ prosecutorial background could affect her primary bid, it could help her if she faces President Donald Trump in the 2020 general election.

“He ran as the law-and-order president,” Elleithee said of Trump. “Being able to go toe-to-toe with him on law and order in a smarter way, I think, is going to be important. Should she win the nomination and does it by navigating this topic well, then I think she would be a strong voice and a force to be reckoned with when it comes to issues of law and order, criminal justice and civil rights as they collide in a general election.”

Federal Workers Seek Loans, Second Jobs As Shutdown Lingers

Roughly 420,000 federal employees were deemed essential and are working unpaid. An additional 380,000 are staying home without pay. While furloughed federal workers have been given back pay in previous shutdowns, it’s not guaranteed that will happen this time.

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OGDEN, Utah (AP) — Rachael Weatherly is a senior adviser for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but she’s considering trying to get a job at a grocery store.

Weatherly is among the 800,000 federal employees who aren’t getting paychecks for the first time Friday because of the lingering government shutdown.

They are scaling back spending, canceling trips, applying for unemployment benefits and taking out loans to stay afloat, with no end in sight for a partial shutdown that enters its 21st day Friday and will be the longest in history by this weekend.

Weatherly, a Maryland resident and mother of two young children, said a recent separation from her spouse drained her bank account, and she’s just beginning to re-establish her savings. She can’t afford to miss one paycheck.

“I filed for unemployment. I’m waiting for that to come through,” she said.

Weatherly said her day care provider agreed to defer payments, as did her mortgage company. But she still worries any late mortgage payments could negatively affect her credit score. The uncertainty, she said, is heightening her concerns.

“I just don’t see how this is going to end,” she said.

Roughly 420,000 federal employees were deemed essential and are working unpaid. An additional 380,000 are staying home without pay. While furloughed federal workers have been given back pay in previous shutdowns, it’s not guaranteed that will happen this time.

Government contractors, who have been placed indefinitely on unpaid leave, don’t get compensated for lost hours.

Most of the government workers received their last paycheck two weeks ago, and Friday will be the first payday with no money. Around the country, some workers are relying on donations, including launching GoFundMe campaigns. Food pantries have opened up in several locations.

In Massachusetts, a private group has stepped up to ensure that those working at local Coast Guard stations have access to food and clothing during the shutdown. Don Cox, president of the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation Inc., said the nonprofit group has opened up what he calls “empowerment centers” at Coast Guard stations in Boston and Providence, Rhode Island.

The group is helping feed 500 to 600 families a day during the shutdown, about double the typical demand, Cox said. He said he’s happy to help but angry that those working on some military bases aren’t getting paid.

“We’ve been doing this for 10 years. This is my fourth shutdown,” Cox said. “I wish the senators and the congressmen weren’t taking their paychecks. I’d feel a lot better then.”

Democratic U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette of Colorado said Thursday that she would not take her paycheck as long as federal workers were unpaid. U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, another Colorado Democrat, said his staff would offer free breakfasts and lunches to unpaid federal workers at his district office in suburban Denver starting Friday.

In Falls Church, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C., a school district is planning a hiring fair for furloughed federal employees interested in working as substitute teachers.

Tiauna Guerra, one of 3,750 furloughed IRS workers in Ogden, Utah, has been trying to get a job but said employers don’t want to hire her when she explains her situation because they don’t want to lose her in a few weeks.

In the meantime, she is taking out a loan to make her car payment, and she and her husband are delaying plans to move out of her parents’ house until the shutdown ends.

“We’re barely getting by,” said Guerra, mother of two small children. “We are not able to pay a lot of our bills. We’re having a hard time trying to buy gas, food.”

Guerra was among about 100 furloughed IRS employees who rallied Thursday outside the federal building in Ogden to call for an end to the shutdown. They chanted, “We want to work, we want to work.”

The shutdown is forcing many families to make tough decisions.

Michelle Wallace, a 34-year-old mother of four, told her 16-year-old son that the family couldn’t go to his basketball tournament an hour away from their home in the Peoria, Illinois, area.

Wallace, a nurse fresh out of school and strapped with student debt, realized there would be no last-minute deal to end the shutdown, meaning her husband, a federal worker, would miss a paycheck. They couldn’t afford to buy tickets or use the half-tank of gas it would take to get to the tournament.

“We want to be there to support him,” Wallace said through tears. “But there’s no end in sight for the government opening back up, I don’t know when we’ll have enough money coming in, and I can’t justify spending anything.”

Food and Other Resources to Help Workers Through the Government Shutdown

As the bills begin to pile up, resources are trickling in to help federal government workers impacted by the partial government shutdown. We’ve compiled a list to make finding help easier.

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Updated 1/16/19 @ 8:00am

Food Assistance

  • Kraft Pop Up Shop:  –Kraft is opening a grocery store pop-up tomorrow in Washington, D.C. to support a program called “Kraft Now Pay Later” that helps federal government workers during the government shutdown.  The pop-up store will be open January 16 – 20, 2019 at 1287 4th Street NE, two blocks from Union Market. Current federal government workers holding their government ID will be able to shop and take home a bag full of Kraft products for their families. In return, Kraft asks workers (if they can) to pay it forward by donating to their charity of choice or someone in need once they are able to do so.  

January 16th – January 20th

1287 4th Street, NE – Federal workers bring your ID to receive free food courtesy of Kraft.  Kraft is stepping in and helping them stock up on staples like Kraft Mac & Cheese, Kraft Natural Cheese, Kraft Singles, Kraft Salad Dressings, Kraft Mayo and Kraft BBQ for their dinner tables.

Central Union Mission: Central Union Mission invites furloughed federal employees in need of food to visit our Family Ministry Center (3194-B Bladensburg Rd., NE, Washington, DC), Monday through Thursday from 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm. Groceries will be available while supplies last through our Emergency Referral Program. People seeking assistance must bring a government-issued I.D. and agency work badge/ID. Families affected by SNAP shortages can show their food stamp card and I.D.

Central Union Mission – 65 Massachusetts Avenue, NW

www.missiondc.org

Bread for the City:  Furloughed government workers and contractors in the DMV can visit Bread for the City in Northwest or Southeast for a five-day supply of groceries.

1640 Good Hope Road, SE

1525 7th Street, NW

www.breadforthecity.org

Amalgamated Transit Union International:  Monday-Friday (Jan. 14-Jan. 18) from noon-6pm ATU will be providing free meals for furloughed federal employees at the TDCC at 10000 New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring.  Workers only need to bring their federal employee identification card to receive a free meal for them and their family. 

Free Lunch every Saturday from 12pm to 1pm for kids 18 and under at the following DC Recreation Centers:

Rita Brown – Ward 1

Emery – Ward 4

Joe Cole – Ward 5

Harry Thomas – Ward 5

King Greenleaf – Ward 6

Hillcrest – Ward 7

Benning Park – Ward 7

Benning Stoddart – Ward 7

Barry Farm – Ward 8 (1pm – 2pm)

Montgomery County Public Schools is providing meals to impacted students of the shutdown through its Dine with Dignity program.  Students with negative account balances can get the usual breakfast or lunch for free.

Falls Church Public Schools is offering help paying for lunches, tuition and daycare.  School officials are also hiring substitute teaches and bus drivers.  Families can also work with a social worker if needed.  www.fccps.org

The Capital Area Food Bank will provide free food for impacted federal workers every Saturday at various locations around the DMV.  Check out their website for updates.     www.capitalareafoodbank.org

&pizza

The chain will offer free pies to government workers from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. each day of the shutdown. Go to find website for the locations. www.andpizza.com

Baked by Yael

3000 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, D.C.

Federal employees and contractors can get a free coffee through the shutdown. Zoo employees required to work without pay can get a free bagel sandwich or small soup each weekday. www.bakedbyyael.com

The Duplex Diner 

2004 18th St. NW

The Duplex Diner is offering furloughed feds a free Monday meal and a glass of wine. Bring your ID or business card.  www.duplexdiner.com

Hula Girl Bar and Girl

4044 Campbell Ave, Arlington, Virginia

Furloughed government employees can show their ID to get a free beer and a burger at the bar during happy hour, which runs Monday to Friday 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. www.hulagirlbaraandgrill.com

Maggiano’s Little Italy at Chevy Chase

5333 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C.

The Italian chain is offering 50 percent off to government employees. www.maggianos.com

ThinkFoodGroup Restaurants

Various Locations

Federal workers and their families with a federal ID get a free sandwich at the bar of any of the famed chef’s restaurants, including Oyamel, Zaytinya, America Eats Tavern, and Beefsteak. The offer stands from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily until the shutdown ends. www.thinkfoodgroup.com

World Central Kitchen

Pennsylvania Avenue NW (exact location to be announced)

Starting 1/16 open its #Chefs For Feds kitchen and café for FREE hot meals at 701 Pennsylvania Ave, NW near the Navy Memorial for all federal employees in need and their families. www.worldcentralkitchen.org

 

Free Lunches for Area Students:  Most school systems throughout the DMV are providing some level of food assistance for students.  Check with your jurisdiction and local school for details.

Assistance with your Bills:

The Financial Equality Center and Housing Counseling Network at National Community Reinvestment Coalition:  The Financial Equality Center and Housing Counseling Network at National Community Reinvestment Coalition is hosting an event to provide housing counseling and financial coaching to individuals impacted by the furlough.  FEC will assist homeowners who have fallen behind or are in danger of falling behind on their mortgage payments due to the government shutdown or other financial hardships. Housing Counselors can assist homeowners with addressing delinquencies and defaults with.
We will also discuss financial planning and debt management. This event is open to federal government employees and contractors.

NCRC’s Financial Equality Center(FEC) is a HUD certified Housing Counseling agency in the District of Columbia. Through a staff of highly trained Mortgage Advisors, the department provides housing counseling and coaching for individuals and families seeking to obtain, retain and sustain the American Dream of homeownership and financial resiliency.

Friday, January 18, 2019 from 10am to 1pm.
727 15th St. NW (8th Floor Conference Room) ,Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 1-800-475-NCRC
Breakfast will be provided, and gift cards will be provided to all individuals who complete an intake packet.

Water Bill Assistance: DC Water is providing extended payment plans for federal government workers who may need some flexibility in paying the utility because of the shutdown. Programs are also in plans for those customers trying to keep their water and sewer going. Check out the DC Water website for additional information. www.dcwater.com

WSSC: In an effort to assist federal workers struggling to make ends meet as the government shutdown hits 19 days, WSSC announced it will suspend all water service shutoffs. Customers are encouraged to contact WSSC and speak with a representative at 301-206-4001 or 1-800-828-6439 to discuss their specific situation.

Washington Gas: As the temperature goes down and the gas bill goes up, Washington Gas is offering some options for government employees feeling the pinch of the shutdown. Call 1-844-WASHGAS to find out your options.

BGE: www.bge.com   1-800-685-0123

Verizon Wireless: Verizon Wireless says it is standing at the ready to help workers with flexible payment options to keep service running. The “Our Promise Pay Program” allows customers to set a future date for payment. www.verizonwireless.com

Dominion Energy: Dominion Energy is also offering assistance, including payment extensions, long-term payment plans and bill payment assistance options. For details, visit the website at www.dominionenergy.com

Prince George’s County Government: Prince George’s County Government joined forces with the United Way of the National Capital Area to provide assistance to county residents feeling the pinch of the government shutdown. You can find a complete list of resources in the county on the website. www.princegeorgescountymd.gov

Pepco: Pepco says it has a wide range of payment options and also plans to work individually with customers impacted by the government shutdown. Call Pepco at 202-833-7500 to discussion your needs.

Help Feeding Your Pet: The Humane Rescue Alliance and the Animal Welfare League of Arlington have both opened up pet food pantries to help federal government workers who need assistance feedingtheir four legged family members. Visit their websites for details. www.humanerescuealliance.org   www.awla.org

Fairfax County Public Schools: Fairfax County Public Schools is hiring furloughed federal employees as substitute teachers. The school district states it would expedite hiring for qualified candidates. A hiring event is set to be held on Jan. 11, with a second event scheduled for Jan. 15. Fairfax County Public Schools: Fairfax County Public Scho is hiring furloughed federal employees as substitute teachers. The school district states it would expedite hiring for qualified candidates. A hiring event is set to be held on Jan. 11, with a second event scheduled for Jan. 15.  www.fcps.edu

Chase Bank: Chase encourages its customers to call to discuss certain hardship programs if they are employees of, or do business with, a U.S. federal agency and their income is affected by the shutdown. Customers who are in financial need should call the special care line at 1-888-356-0023.

Navy Federal Credit Union: Navy Federal Credit Union customers may be eligible for government shutdown assistance if their pay is impacted.  Customers should visit www.navyfederal.org to learn their options

Wells Fargo: Wells Fargo is helping individuals who are experiencing hardship as a result of the federal government shutdown. The bank will work with individuals and business banking customers whose income is disrupted as a result of the shutdown. Customers should call 1-800-TO-WELLS.

 

 

 

 

 

Prince George’s County Provides Relief for Its Federal Government Workers

Prince George’s County entities joining forces to help county residents impacted by the federal government shutdown. County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and others say assistance will be available for as long as its needed.

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Largo, Maryland (January 10, 2018) – Some much needy relief for federal government workers in Prince George’s County who are beginning to feel the financial impact of the shutdown.  Prince George’s County Government, the United Way Campaign of the National Capital Region, and Prince George’s Community College are teaming up to give non-profits in the county additional dollars to help federal employees. County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, Prince George’s County College President Dr. Charlene Dukes, and Rosie Allen-Herring, President & CEO, United Way National Capital Area held a press conference at the college Thursday to announce the launch of the Emergency Assistance Fund.  , making available an initial $50,000 that will provide additional capacity to select nonprofit organizations providing vital food, rent and other assistance, which are facing an increased demand for services due to the government shutdown crisis. United Way NCA also called on the community—both corporate partners and individuals in the region—to join the organization by matching its pledge or contributing. Pepco was first to respond with a $50,000 matching grant as did Bank of America to the Emergency Assistance Fund, and the United Way NCA expects more will follow.  United Way NCA also encouraged all of those affected to visit its regional network of Financial Empowerment Centers (FEC) for individual financial counseling and guidance.

In addition, residents are reminded that assistance is also available by calling 2-1-1, a national program, which is managed locally by United Way NCA and its work-group partners. 2-1-1 is a non-emergency telephone number.

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Free Pop Up Food Markets For Furloughed Employees

Free pop up Food Markets for furloughed employees, tomorrow…

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Free pop up Food Markets for furloughed employees…

The Capital Area Food Bank has teamed up with Giant to help Federal furloughed government workers. Today marks the first day that thousands in our area will miss their first pay check.

The Capital Area Food Bank has announced that they will work with Giant grocery stores to host free pop-up fresh food markets. There will be 5 sites all located at Giant Grocery stores. Tomorrow’s pop-up fresh markets will be open from 9 am to Noon.

The 5 Giant locations for the pop-up fresh markets are: 7074 Allentown Road, Camp Springs, MD 20748, 10480 Campus Way South, Kettering, MD 20774, 1050 Brentwood Road, NE, Washington, DC 20018, 12051 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852, 6800 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22306.

Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963

 

 

A Career in Commercial Real Estate

If you’re considering a career change, commercial real estate development may be for you. Learn how to get an education in the business.

Posted by Harold Fisher
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In the red-hot real estate market you may see a lot of ads by real estate agents.  You may know a few people who are real estate agents.  But those people are likely agents for residential properties.  What about those who are in the business of commercial real estate?  That’s a different world, but one you might want to be part of.  We take a look at the commercial real estate business and how you can get in on it.

Resources:

Project REAP:http://projectreap.org/

Michael Bush, Founder, Project REAP
Ken McIntyre, Executive Director, Project REAP

About Project Reap

With the enthusiastic support of industry leadership, REAP—the Real Estate Associate Program—is now widely acknowledged to be the most successful diversity initiative in the commercial real estate industry.

REAP is an industry-backed, market-driven program that serves as a bridge between talented minority professionals and commercial real estate companies looking for talent.

REAP exists because the commercial real estate industry’s professional ranks are less than 1% minority at management levels—less than 1,000 people of color in an industry with over 125,000 professionals. During its short existence, REAP has increased that minority cohort by 10%—by spotlighting a talent pool that was always there, but previously unacknowledged.

Over 400 REAP Associates now work for leading firms in the industry, from London to Los Angeles, New York to New Mexico:

REAP’s recruiting process is competitive and selective, attracting credentialed, career-changing, professionals—architects, bankers, engineers, MBA’s, lawyers and sales people. They know how to add value to a company’s bottom line.

Employers meet potential minority employees—not in mandatory diversity training—but in voluntary, business-oriented opportunities that raise comfort levels on both sides.

REAP’s success has been validated by leading minority professional groups like Black MBA’s, Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting, National Organization of Minority Architects, and REEC (Real Estate Executive Council), and through REAP’s affiliation with the Business Schools at Howard and Clark Atlanta Universities.

REAP was launched in Washington (1998); Atlanta (2001); New York City (2006); Chicago 2009; Los Angeles 2011; Cleveland 2012; Columbus 2014; Dallas 2015; and Kansas City 2017.

Federal Government Furlough Assistance Announced In Prince George’s County

A link to new resources for Prince George’s County federal government workers impacted by the partial shutdown can be found here.

Posted by Harold Fisher
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Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announces partnership to assist furloughed federal government workers.

Here is a link to a list of services offered by the county and partners to help people effected by the federal government shutdown.

https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/3053/Federal-Government-Shutdown-Assistance

Federal Government Employees By the Hundreds Take to the Streets Demanding to Go Back to Work

Union leaders and democratic lawmakers join forces to call for an end to the government shutdown. WHUR Digital Reporter Candice Adkins
T speaks with workers who say they are fed up.

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Washington, D.C. – (January 10, 2019) – Federal government workers braved the frigid temperatures today to send a loud and strong message to President Trump and Congress as the partial government shutdown lingered into Day 20.  Led by more than three dozen various unions, federal employees held a noon time rally outside the headquarters of the AFL-CIO.

The workers carried signs like “Stop the War On Workers” and “Public Servants Should Not Be Pawns.” The rally was held at 12pm just blocks from the White House and workers began to march about 1:30pm to the White House calling on Trump to reopen the government with or without funding he has requested for a border wall.

WHUR Digital Reporter Candice Adkins spoke with some employees of the Amalgamated Transit Union or ATU.

The rally was designed to draw attention to the plight of federal government workers who are now facing the reality that they will not likely get a paycheck tomorrow.  Several Democratic members of Congress spoke and joined the rally, including House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen who also represent Maryland.

Two federal employees unions have sued against the Trump administration over the government shutdown since it began in December.The American Federation of Government Employees is the largest union for federal workers, representing some of  700,000 of the 800,000 employees impacted by the shutdown.  That union alleges that hundreds of thousands of employees are illegally being forced to work without pay.

Furloughed Federal Workers Rally Outside White House, Cohen To Testify In House Hearing Next Month

Furloughed Federal Workers Rally Outside White House. Cohen To Testify In House Hearing Next Month. Lady Gaga Stands Behind Sexual Assault Victims In Wake Of R. Kelly Accusations. MD Senate President Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer.

Posted by Harold Fisher
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Furloughed Federal Workers Rally Outside White House

(Washington, DC) — Federal workers are rallying outside the White House today as the partial government shutdown approaches the three week mark. Around 800-thousand federal employees are working without pay or have been furloughed. They’re talking about how the shutdown is not only impacting them and their families, but the agencies they work for and the people they serve. President Trump will not be at the White House to see the rally first-hand, as he is in Texas to visit a border region where he wants to build a wall. Trump is refusing to sign bills to fund the government and end the shutdown unless Congress votes to spend more than five-billion-dollars to fund the wall.

Cohen To Testify In House Hearing Next Month

(Washington, DC) — President Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen will testify in a House hearing next month. Cohen will appear voluntarily before the House Oversight Committee. Democrats took over the House on January 3rd and have promised vigorous oversight of President Trump and his administration. Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings said the panel has no interest in “interfering with any ongoing criminal investigations.” He noted that his staff is consulting with Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s office, which is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign.

Lady Gaga Stands Behind Sexual Assault Victims In Wake Of R. Kelly Accusations

Lady Gaga is apologizing for previously working with R. Kelly. The pop star wrote on Twitter last night that she stands by all the women who spoke out against the R&B singer in the new Lifetime documentary, Surviving R. Kelly. She also vowed to remove a track called Do What U Want With My Body that she made with Kelly in 2013 from all music streaming platforms. Gaga said she wrote it at a dark time in her life, when she was dealing with post-traumatic stress from her own sexual assault. She also apologized for not speaking out against Kelly sooner.

MD Senate President Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer 

(Annapolis, MD) — Maryland Senate President Mike Miller says he has prostate cancer. Miller issued a statement today saying he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in July. He says he will be undergoing chemotherapy during the legislative session, but will continue to fulfill his Senate responsibilities. Miller has served 44 years in the General Assembly and has been president of the Senate since 1987.

The 9th Annual Chuck Brown Hat, Coat and Food Drive Helping Families in Need

Pep Rally for Peace in the Streets is once again pouring back into the community

Posted by Bobby Gailes
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Pep Rally for Peace in the Streets is hosting its 9thAnnual Chuck Brown Hat, Coat, Boot, Blanket, and Food Collection Drive” for the Homeless and Families in need and I have thee details of how you can be a part of this community effort.  My guests are Gary Clark – Founder and CEO of Pep Rally for Peace in the Streets and Dora Taylor-Lowe – Department of Human Services.

Pep Rally for Peace in the Streets is hosting its 9thAnnual Chuck Brown Hat, Coat, Boot, Blanket, and Food Collection Drive” for the Homeless and Families in need Saturday, January 19th at Hendley Elementary School in SE from 1pm to 6pm. For more information go to:  www.prpis.org

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 twitterat @bobbygailesfor updates and to stay connected.

Listen to this mornings segments here:

Segment 1:

Segment 2:

United Way Steps In To Help Local Furloughed Families, It’s Sentencing Day For A Cop Killer In Landover

In the News @ 10
United Way steps in to help local furloughed families…
Unions join forces to rally in DC over shutdown…
It’s sentencing day for a cop killer in Landover…

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United Way steps in to help local furloughed families…

It appears that tomorrow thousands of Federal employees will miss their first paycheck since the now 20-day old partial government shutdown began. President Trump reportedly walked out of a White House meeting with Democrats yesterday. Later tweeting it was a waste of time. Some sources say the President asked Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi if he reopened the Federal Government would she agree to fund his border wall. When Pelosi said “No” he walked out.

Today at 1 pm Prince George’s County Executive, United Way of the National Capital Area and the President of Prince George’s Community College will hold a press conference. The focus their joint efforts to help those affected by the government shutdown.

Overnight United way announced that they were activating their Emergency Assistance Fund. They made available $50,000 to select non-profits who help families in need. They were quickly matched by Pepco Holdings DC and Bank of American making the total over $150,000 for area families in need.

United Way NCA is also recommending individuals affected by the partial government shutdown to seek out financial guidance and counseling at one of their four United Way NCA Financial Empowerment Centers. They are located at Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Maryland, Skyland Workforce Center in Washington, DC, Fairfax South County Building in Alexandria, Virginia and Prince William County at the Virginia SkillSource Center in Woodbridge.

Today a 1 p.m. news conference will be held at Prince George’s Community College, Center for Advanced Technology, 301 Largo Road, Largo, Maryland.

Unions join forces to rally in DC over shutdown…

The AFL-CIO office on 16th Street in Northwest, DC will be the backdrop for today’s Noontime rally to end the government shutdown. Members from over three dozen unions including IAFF, LIUNA, AFL-CIO, TEAMSTERS, AFT and AFL-CIO are taking part.

The rally is open to the public and will be held outside of the AFL-CIO offices at 815 16th Street in Northwest. If you are planning to attend they ask that  you please visit go.aflcio.org/shutdownrally.

It’s sentencing day for a cop killer in Landover…

Today convicted killer Michael Ford will learn his punishment for his role in the friendly fire death of Prince George’s County Police Detective Jacai Colson.

Colson who was off duty at the time heard gunfire outside of the District 3 Police Station in Landover on March 13, 2016. He wasted no time coming to the aid of his fellow officers. Colson who was in his street clothes was shot by a fellow police officer during the ambush mayhem. Investigators say the gunman Michael Ford was trying to kill himself, often called suicide by police . Ford’s two younger brothers were in a car recording the incident as it unfolded using their cell phones.

Colson was 28-years-old and a four year veteran of the Prince George’s County Police Department. The other officer was not criminally charged. Ford who was found guilty of 2nd-degree murder in Colson’s death face decades in prison. The prosecution said even though Ford did not shoot Officer Colson he caused his death.

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