We discuss the immediate and wider political implications of the racist photo found in the med school yearbook of Virginia Governor Ralph Northam.
Guests:
Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax Denies Sexual Misconduct Allegation. Schumer Calls On Northam To Resign. Trial Date Set In Makiyah Wilson Murder. Historians Irked By Musical ‘Hamilton’.
Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax is denying an uncorroborated allegation of sexual misconduct first reported by a conservative website.
Fairfax told reporters Monday that the 2004 encounter with a woman was consensual and he called the accusation of misconduct “a smear.”
The Associated Press is not reporting the details of the accusation because AP has not been able to corroborate it.
The Washington Post said Monday that it was approached by the woman in 2017, carefully investigated, but never published the accusation.
The Post said the woman had not told anyone about it, the account could not be corroborated, Fairfax denied it and the Post was unable to find other allegations against him.
Fairfax would become Virginia governor if Ralph Northam were to resign or be ousted in the scandal over a racist photo on his page in his medical school yearbook.
(Washington, DC) — Add Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to the growing list of prominent Democrats calling on Virginia Governor Ralph Northam to resign. Schumer tweeted today that it is “past time” for Northam to step down so Virginia can “move forward.” Democrat Northam has been under fire since a picture surfaced from his 1984 medical school yearbook. The picture showed men in blackface and a Ku Klux Klan robe. Northam initially said he was in the picture and apologized before saying he doesn’t think he was in the photo .
(Washington) — A tentative trial date has been set for the seven people charged in the death of a 10-year-old girl who was killed when gunshots were fired into a Washington, D.C., crowd. A tentative trial date for August 2020 was set Friday when the seven defendants appeared together in court for the first time on charges in the July shooting of Makiyah Wilson. Wilson was headed to get ice cream when four masked men leaped out of a car and fired gunshots into a crowded apartment courtyard.
(New York, NY) — Ever since the historical musical “Hamilton” began its march to near-universal infatuation, one group has noticeable withheld its applause — historians. Many academics argue the portrait of Alexander Hamilton, the star of our $10 bills, is a counterfeit. Now they’re escalating their fight.
Ishmael Reed, who has been nominated twice for a National Book Award, has chosen to fight fire with fire — collecting his critique of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s acclaimed show into a play.
Reed’s “The Haunting of Lin-Manuel Miranda” is an uncompromising take-down of “Hamilton,” reminding viewers of the Founding Father’s complicity in slavery and his war on Native Americans.
“My goal is that this to be a counter-narrative to the text that has been distributed to thousands of students throughout the country,” said Reed, who teaches at the California College of the Arts and the University of California at Berkeley and whose latest novel is “Conjugating Hindi.”
Reed, whose play had a recent reading in New York and who is raising money for a four-week production in May, is part of a wave of “Hamilton” skeptics — often solitary voices of dissent amid a wall of fawning attention — who have written journal articles, newspaper op-eds and a 2018 collection of essays, “Historians on Hamilton .”
Miranda’s glowing portrayal of a Hamilton who celebrates open borders — “Immigrants, we get the job done!” — and who denounces slavery has incensed everyone from professors at Harvard to the University of Houston to Rutgers .
They argue that Miranda got Hamilton all wrong — the Founding Father wasn’t progressive at all, his actual role as a slave owner has been whitewashed and the pro-immigrant figure onstage hides the fact that he was, in fact, an anti-immigration elitist.
No More Martyrs is hosting a forum to educate and how to combat crimes against women.
It is a real issue in our community and we are shining the spotlight on on it this morning on Taking It to the Streets. Sexual Abuse and Sex Trafficking. An event is coming up next week to help educate communities on what you can do to combat it. My guest is Lisa Daughtrey – Board Member of No More Martyrs
No More Martyr is hosting a Sexual Abuse and Sex Trafficking forum to talk about the issue and what communities can do to help address and combat the crimes again women. The event will be held Saturday February 16that the Village Café @ Union Market in NE. For more information to to: www.nomoremartyrs.org
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, instagram and twitter at @bobbygailes for updates and to stay connected.
Listen to this mornings segment here:
Law enforcement sources tell us one of Kristoff’s friends went to check on him at the actor’s home in San Fernando Valley, and found his body. Police and paramedics were alerted and responded to the house. Kristoff was pronounced dead on the scene.
The Young and the Restless star Kristoff St. John was found dead Sunday in his San Fernando Valley home.
TMZ is reporting:
Law enforcement sources tell us one of Kristoff’s friends went to check on him at the actor’s home in San Fernando Valley, and found his body. Police and paramedics were alerted and responded to the house. We’re told Kristoff was pronounced dead on the scene.
We’re told there was no sign of foul play, however one source says alcohol might have played a role.
Kristoff has played Neil Winters on ‘Y&R’ since 1991 — a role that earned him 9 Daytime Emmy Award nominations. He also won 10 NAACP Image Awards.
Kristoff has a tragic and troubled history with suicide. He and his ex-wife, boxer Mia St. John, lost their son, Julian, when he took his own life in 2014, while getting treatment at a mental health facility. Mia and Kristoff sued the facility for negligence. The suit was eventually settled.
In 2017, around the anniversary of Julian’s suicide, Kristoff threatened to kill himself with a gun. Cops placed him under a 72-hour hold for psychiatric evaluation.
Mia reacted to Kristoff’s death with an emotional post on social media (which she has since deleted), and it’s clear she is connecting his death to Julian’s. She wrote, “THAT HOSPITAL KILLED OUR SON @TheArtofJulian THEN MY HUSBAND @kristoffstjohn1. THAT’S WHAT HAPPENED! THEY KILLED MY FAMILY”
After their son’s death, Kristoff and Mia founded the El Saber es Poder (Knowledge is Power) Foundation to battle mental illness.
Kristoff was 52.
We send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the actor. May he rest in peace.
In the News @ 10
Pressure mounts for Va Governor Northam to resign…
No cause in crash that killed 5 children in Bowie…
DC records 20th homicide of the year…
Amid mounting pressure for Virginia Governor Ralph Northam to resign comes word that on Sunday he called an emergency senior staff meeting. Not in attendance was African American Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax. It is not clear what was discussed but it has some political watchers assuming that he may be thinking about stepping down.
As the Commonwealth deals with two racist images on Northam’s page in his 1984 medical yearbook. Northam says that he did not purchase the yearbook and was unaware of the images on his page. After apologizing on Friday for the images on Saturday he held a press conference saying after careful review he was confident that it was not him in the photo.
At 3 am this morning Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax tweeted out a denial of sexual assault. The unverified claim from a woman stated it happened in 2004 at the DNC in Boston. If Lt. Gov. Fairfax, a direct descendant of a freed slave from Virginia replaces Northam he will be the only current sitting African American Governor in the U.S. He will be the second African American Governor for the Commonwealth.
Police are still looking for answers to what may have caused a SUV filled with kids and two adults to leave 301 and crash. When the 2005 Chrysler Pacifica veered off the road it hit several trees before stopping.
All five children, ages 5 to 15 were thrown from the vehicle.
The children have been identified as Paris Dixon, 5, London Dixon, 8, Rickelle Ricks , 6, Zion Beard, 14 and Damari Herald, 15. Early reports indicate that they were not properly restrained. The children were pronounced dead on the scene. The accident happened early Saturday morning on North bound Route 301 between Route 214 and Pointer Ridge Drive.
Grief counselors will be at the schools were the children attended classes. The driver Dominique Taylor and a 23-year-old Cornell Simon who were in the front seat of the SUV were injured but survived.
The homicide rate increased on Sunday in the District. Police say a man was found shot in the 500 block of 60th Street, Northeast.
Investigators say they responded to a report of sound of gunshots. When they arrived they noticed a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim died at the hospital.
The victim has been identified as 59-year old Michael Bernard Wells of Northeast. Police are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest in this case.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963
Northam called on to resign
DC mansion killer given life sentence
DC teacher accused of choking student
Virginia’s governor appears in racist themed photo
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam is under fire for appearing in a photo where one man is in blackface and another is wearing a Ku Klux Klan style hood. One of the disguised people in the photo is Northam. The picture is from Northam’s 1984 Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook. In a released statement, Northam said, in part, ““I am deeply sorry for the decision I made to appear as I did in this photo and for the hurt that decision caused then and now. ” Officials with Virginia’s Republican party have called on Northam to resign.
Life in prison for man convicted in DC mansion killings
The man convicted in the October 2015 murders of three members of a DC family and their housekeeper will spend the rest of his life in prison. Friday, Daron Wint was sentenced to four life sentences without the possibility of release. Wint was convicted of killing Savvas & Amy Savopoulos, the couples ten-year-old son and the family’s housekeeper.
Teacher charged with choking student
A District elementary school teacher has been arrested after police say he choked one of his students. Authorities say the incident happened at Barnard Elementary School in Northwest, DC on January 17th. The teacher, 50-year-old Jarvis Bernard Massenburg, of Bowie, has been charged with second-degree child cruelty. Police say surveillance video of the alleged assault aided in its investigation.
Anne Arundel County Schools – Closing two hours early
Charles County Schools – Closing two hours early
Howard County Schools – closing 90 minutes early
Montgomery County Schools – closing 2 1/2 hours early
Prince George’s County Schools – closing 2 hours
In the News @ 10
DC teacher charged with choking an elementary student…
Two arrested in double homicide in Stewart Lane…
It’s unthinkable but DC Police say surveillance cameras at Barnard Elementary School in Northwest prompted the arrest.
Fifty-year-old Jarvis Massenburg of Bowie, Maryland has been placed on leave pending a full investigation. The incident happened on January 17th. It was reported on January 24th and Massenburg was arrested on January 31st.
Massenburg could make his first court appearance today. Sources say the police report indicates that he used his fist, hands and feet to choke the student. He faces simple assault charges in the case.
Police in Montgomery County have made an arrested in this weeks mysterious crash that led to the discovery of two bodies in a vehicle.
The suspects are arrest are teens. Eighteen-year-old Dontaye Hunt and 18-year-old Noah Barnett. According to police the fatal shootings were connected to a drug deal gone wrong at White Oak apartment complex. The two suspects have been charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
The men killed have been identified as 23-year-old Jordan Radway and 24-year-old Christian Roberts. The medical examiner officer said both of the victims were shot multiple times.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963
“I believe that we can build a country where no one is forgotten, no one is left behind; where parents can put food on the table; where there are good-paying jobs with good benefits in every neighborhood; where our criminal justice system keeps us safe, instead of shuffling more children into cages and coffins; where we see the faces of our leaders on television and feel pride, not shame,” Booker said in a video message to supporters, subtly jabbing at President Donald Trump.
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Sen. Cory Booker on Friday declared his bid for the presidency in 2020 with a sweeping call to unite a deeply polarized nation around a “common purpose.”
The New Jersey Democrat, who is the second black candidate in a primary field that’s already historically diverse, delivered his message of unity amid an era marked by bitter political division. He announced his run on the first day of Black History Month, underscoring his consequential status as America’s potential second black president after Barack Obama.
“I believe that we can build a country where no one is forgotten, no one is left behind; where parents can put food on the table; where there are good-paying jobs with good benefits in every neighborhood; where our criminal justice system keeps us safe, instead of shuffling more children into cages and coffins; where we see the faces of our leaders on television and feel pride, not shame,” Booker said in a video message to supporters, subtly jabbing at President Donald Trump.
“It is not a matter of can we, it’s a matter of do we have the collective will, the American will?” he added. “I believe we do.”
Booker enters what’s shaping up to be a crowded presidential primary, with three of his fellow Democratic senators — Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Kamala Harris of California and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York — already either declared or exploring a run. But he’s spent months telegraphing his intentions to join the race, visiting the early-voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina to build connections with key powerbrokers. He already has slated trips back to those states later this month.
Booker also will begin reaching out to key constituencies Friday, conducting call-in interviews with three radio shows popular with black and Hispanic listeners. Later on Friday, Booker will be a guest on “The View,” a TV talk show popular with female audiences, where his mother plans to sit in the audience.
A former mayor of Newark, New Jersey’s largest city, Booker won a special Senate election in 2013 to replace Democrat Frank Lautenberg and then won a full Senate term in 2014. He will be able to run for a second full Senate term in 2020 while running for president, thanks to a law that New Jersey’s governor signed in November.
But that doesn’t mean the 49-year-old’s path to the nomination will be easy. As many as five more Democratic senators could soon mount their own primary bids, creating a competition for voters’ attention, and several of Booker’s rival presidential hopefuls bring higher name recognition to a race that may also feature popular former Vice President Joe Biden. Booker also will likely stand alone as an unmarried candidate, though he brings a compelling personal biography that could help elevate his message of bringing Americans together around what he described as “common purpose.”
Booker’s father grew up in a low-income community in North Carolina, and the senator has recalled his family’s later struggle to settle in suburban New Jersey amid discrimination against black homebuyers. The senator has brought a heartfelt and passionate style to his achievements in the Senate, at times fusing his personal spirituality with policy proposals that focus on social justice. Booker played a key role in the bipartisan criminal justice reform bill that Trump supported last year, for example, a deal he helped strike two months after sparring with Republicans during the battle over Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation.
In his announcement video, Booker invoked the fight against slavery and the role of immigration in building the nation’s character.
“The history of our nation is defined by collective action; by interwoven destinies of slaves and abolitionists; of those born here and those who chose America as home; of those who took up arms to defend our country and those who linked arms to challenge and change it,” he said.
Born in the nation’s capital but raised in New Jersey, Booker made a name for himself as Newark mayor by personally shoveling the snow of residents. He has $4.1 million left in his campaign coffers that could also be used to assist his presidential run. Rather than opening an exploratory committee to test the waters, Booker took the direct step to open a campaign seeking the Democratic nomination.
Booker is aligning with many other prominent Democratic White House contenders by forswearing all donations from corporate political action committees and federal lobbyists to his campaign, dubbed Cory 2020. A prominent Booker supporter, San Francisco attorney Steve Phillips, says he is working on millions of dollars in committed donations to a so-called super PAC that would boost the senator’s candidacy, but Booker’s campaign is openly against super PACs playing any role in the presidential race.
Experts dissect and examine the issues surrounding the attack against “Empire” star Jussie Smollett.
Guests:
Many DC Homeless Avoid Shelters Amid Cold. Senate President Gives Update On Cancer Battle. Detroit Police Are Investigating Officer For Racist Snapchat Video.
(Washington) — The city of Washington, D.C, counted its homeless population last winter at about 7,000 people, and so far, only about 1,700 of them have checked into area shelters this winter.
District residents James Bernard and June Lewis told The Washington Post Wednesday that they’ve been homeless for years and plan to stay outdoors as temperatures plunge into single digits. The 64-year-olds say they feel better in their makeshift home than inside a homeless shelter.
Lewis says she isn’t going to a shelter because “it ain’t safe.” News outlets have reported cases of sexual abuse and poor conditions at area shelters.
District Interagency Council on Homelessness Director Kristy Greenwalt says the city can detain homeless people against their will for 48 hours while they undergo psychiatric evaluations in “really extreme circumstances.”
(Annapolis, MD) — Maryland Senate President Mike Miller is giving an update on his fight against cancer. Miller is currently getting treatments every three weeks at Johns Hopkins Hospital for stage 4 prostate cancer, but is continuing his work in the legislature. Miller began his second round of chemotherapy this week. He is the country’s longest continuously serving legislative leader.
(Detroit, MI) — The Detroit Police Department is launching an investigation after an officer allegedly posted a racist Snapchat video. On Tuesday night, Officer Gary Steele and another officer pulled over a black woman identified as Ariel Moore for driving with expired license tabs. They ordered her to walk home in the cold and as she was walking away, they recorded the Snapchat video. In the video the officers are heard saying: “walk of shame in the cold” and “bye Felicia.” The video also had the “Celebrate Black History Month” filter with the caption “what black girl magic looks like.”
The American Heart Association said Thursday that more than 121 million adults had cardiovascular disease in 2016. Taking out those with only high blood pressure leaves 24 million, or 9 percent of adults, who have other forms of disease such as heart failure or clogged arteries.
A new report estimates that nearly half of all U.S. adults have some form of heart or blood vessel disease, a medical milestone that’s mostly due to recent guidelines that expanded how many people have high blood pressure.
The American Heart Association said Thursday that more than 121 million adults had cardiovascular disease in 2016. Taking out those with only high blood pressure leaves 24 million, or 9 percent of adults, who have other forms of disease such as heart failure or clogged arteries.
Measuring the burden of diseases shows areas that need to improve, the heart association’s chief science and medical officer, Dr. Mariell Jessup, said in a statement.
High blood pressure, which had long been defined as a top reading of at least 140 or a bottom one of 90, dropped to 130 over 80 under guidelines adopted in 2017. It raises the risk for heart attacks, strokes and many other problems, and only about half of those with the condition have it under control.
Being diagnosed with high blood pressure doesn’t necessarily mean you need medication right away; the first step is aiming for a healthier lifestyle, even for those who are prescribed medicine. Poor diets, lack of exercise and other bad habits cause 90 percent of high blood pressure.
The report is an annual statistics update by the heart association, the National Institutes of Health and others.
Other highlights:
—Heart and blood vessel disease is linked to 1 of every 3 deaths in the United States and kills more Americans than all forms of cancer and respiratory diseases like pneumonia combined.
—Certain groups have higher rates than others; 57 percent of black women and 60 percent of black males.
—Coronary heart disease, or clogged or hardened arteries, caused 43 percent of cardiovascular deaths in the U.S., followed by stroke (17 percent), high blood pressure (10 percent) and heart failure (9 percent).
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Marilynn Marchione can be followed at @MMarchioneAP
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The Associated Press Health & Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate on the benchmark 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage rose to 4.46 percent, from 4.45 percent last week. Despite the recent declines, home borrowing rates are above last year’s levels. The key 30-year rate averaged 4.22 percent a year ago.
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. long-term mortgage rates edged up after declining in recent weeks.
Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the average rate on the benchmark 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage rose to 4.46 percent, from 4.45 percent last week. Despite the recent declines, home borrowing rates are above last year’s levels. The key 30-year rate averaged 4.22 percent a year ago.
The average rate this week for 15-year, fixed-rate loans ticked up to 3.89 percent from 3.88 percent.
The recent decline in mortgage rates has been a spur to prospective homebuyers. Sales of new U.S. homes soared 16.9 percent November.
Last year, home sales stumbled as higher borrowing costs eroded affordability.
Increases in home prices have slowed in many areas of the country, and more homes have come on the market. Those developments, along with historically low mortgage rates, should give a boost to this spring’s home buying season, Freddie Mac chief economist Sam Khater said.
The Federal Reserve held its benchmark interest rate steady Wednesday and sent its strongest signal to date that it sees no need to raise rates anytime soon. Its message ignited a rally on Wall Street, which cheered the prospect of continued modest borrowing rates for the near future. In recent weeks investors had been sending stock prices lower out of fear that the Fed would act more quickly at the risk of sending the economy into a recession.
To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country between Monday and Wednesday each week.
The average doesn’t include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates.
The average fee on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages rose this week to 0.5 point from 0.4 point. The fee on 15-year mortgages held steady at 0.4 point.
The average rate for five-year adjustable-rate mortgages increased to 3.96 percent from 3.90 percent last week. The fee was unchanged at 0.3 point.
“Law enforcement pays a steep cost in the form of public trust when we spend resources on things like marijuana and simultaneously fail to solve and successfully prosecute homicides,” she said.
“Law enforcement pays a steep cost in the form of public trust when we spend resources on things like marijuana and simultaneously fail to solve and successfully prosecute homicides,” she said.
Mosby’s decision puts her at odds with the city’s police force.
In a brief Tuesday statement, Baltimore’s acting Police Commissioner Gary Tuggle stressed that officers “will continue to make arrests for illegal marijuana possession unless and until the state legislature changes the law regarding marijuana possession.”
When asked what she would do if police presented her with a pot possession arrest in coming days, Mosby didn’t mince words: “We will release them without charges.”
It’s been roughly five years since Maryland’s governor signed 2014 legislation that decriminalized the possession of small amounts of cannabis. The law was designed to improve public safety by freeing police officers to focus on more serious threats.
Yet Dana Vickers Shelley, executive director of the ACLU of Maryland, said black citizens are consistently arrested for marijuana possession at higher rates than white citizens in every state county even though their rates of usage are similar. She urged the Baltimore Police Department to “take heed of this policy for change.”
In recent weeks, the online publication Baltimore Fishbowl collaborated with data researchers to examine misdemeanor possession charges for 2015, 2016, and 2017. It found that roughly 96 percent of the 1,448 adults and 66 juveniles arrested by Baltimore police for cannabis possession during those years were black.
Mosby’s announcement was met with enthusiasm by advocates of harm reduction strategies such as decriminalizing drugs and syringe access.
“Our hope now is that she goes beyond this and supports legislation to decriminalize all drug possession so we can pursue a public health approach to drug use and end the wasteful and unjust war on drugs,” said Tricia Christensen, legislative advocacy coordinator with Baltimore Harm Reduction Coalition.
For years, prosecutors’ offices across the country have been reconsidering pot prosecution policies and their impact on reducing crime amid a national shift in attitudes about marijuana.
Marijuana is allowed for some form of medical use in most states even as it remains illegal under federal law. In 2012, Colorado became the first state to broadly allow the sale of marijuana to adults alongside its existing medical marijuana industry. The industry has only grown since, with a total of eight states and Washington, D.C., permitting adult use.
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Follow McFadden on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dmcfadd
“‘Black Panther’ is groundbreaking for many reasons, including the rich diversity of voices behind its success. The story also showcases the power of knowledge to change the world for the better, and the importance of ensuring everyone has access to it.”
Here’s your chance to catch “Black Panther” on the big screen one more time. The hit movie is set to return to theaters to celebrate Black History Month during Feb. 1-7 at 250 participating AMC locations. Tickets are free and there will be two showings per day at each participating theater.
Disney made the announcement Monday —
“‘Black Panther’ is groundbreaking for many reasons, including the rich diversity of voices behind its success,” said Bob Iger, chairman and chief executive officer. “The story also showcases the power of knowledge to change the world for the better, and the importance of ensuring everyone has access to it. We’re proud to provide thousands of free screenings of ‘Black Panther’ in hopes it will continue to inspire audiences, and to support UNCF with a $1.5 million grant to make the dream of higher education a reality for more students.”
“Black Panther” won a SAG Award for best cast in a motion picture. The movie grossed $700 million in North American box office and another $647 million internationally.
Communities In Schools has launched their new year-long campaign “What We Are Made Of”
“Communities In Schools” is out with a new nationwide campaign calling on adults to look closer and listen harder to our youth. The campaign is called “What We Are Made Of.” My guest is
Anya Harrington – Director of Public Relations for Communities In Schools National Office
Communities In Schools has launched a nationwide campaign to support at-risk students and connect adults into communities of support by asking everyone to look closer and listen harder to youth. “What We Are Made Of “ will use the medium of mosaic art to connect and engage with diverse communities across the nation and illustrate the vital role adult can play in seeing the story within every student. For more information go to: www.whatwearemadeof.us
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, instagram and twitter at @bobbygailes for updates and to stay connected.
Listen to this mornings segment here:
Segment 1:
Segment 2:
In the News ….
Payday for furloughed employees…
Police investigate a double homicide in Bladensburg…
Area Fire fighters are working overtime…
It’s payday for some 800-thousand federal workers who were furloughed or made to work without pay for 35 days. The Office of Management and Budget says that most workers will receive those missed paychecks today.
During the stand off with lawmakers over funding for the border wall Congress agreed to legislation guaranteeing back pay for federal workers only. Unfortunately, this measure does not apply for contractors.
There is not a lot of details about a deadly double shooting in Bladensburg Wednesday night.
Officers responded to the 5000 block of 57th Avenue find two men shot. They were near a vehicle that was still running. The victims both died at the hospital.
Police are asking anyone with information about this shooting to call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS or you can text “PGPD”. You can also go to www.pgcrimesolvers.com and submit a tip.
There have been several fires in the Metropolitan areas in the last 24 hours.
In Glen Burnie, seven people are in the hospital after a blaze broke out in the basement of a home last night. Three adults and a toddler had to be pulled from the flames. At last check all seven were still in the hospital. Two adults and one child were listed in critical condition. The cause of the fire is unknown.
In Germantown this morning fire fighters responded to a 911 call of a blaze at a home on Emerald Drive. One first responder fell through the floor. That person is reportedly OK. No one else was hurt. It’s believed that a space heater may have sparked this incident.
Fire fighters were also called to a 3-alarm blaze at a garden style apartment at Columbia Pike and Leesburg Pike around 5:30 a.m. Crews were able to help rescue eight people. Everyone is expected to survive.
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●Alexandria City Public Schools will open two hours late.
●Arlington County Public Schools will open two hours late.
●Baltimore County Public Schools will open two hours late.
●Carroll County Public Schools will open two hours late.
●Culpeper County Public Schools will be closed.
●Fairfax County Public Schools will open two hours late.
●Falls Church City Public Schools will open two hours late.
●Fauquier County Public Schools will be closed.
●Howard County Public Schools will open two hours late.
●Fredericksburg City Public Schools will open two hours late.
●Loudoun County Public Schools will be closed.
●Manassas City Public Schools will be closed.
●Manassas Park City Public Schools will open two hours late.
●Montgomery County Public Schools will open two hours late.
●Prince George’s County Public Schools will open two hours late.
●Prince William County Public Schools will be closed.
●Spotsylvania County Public Schools will open two hours late.
●Stafford County Public Schools will open two hours late
What can be done about the rise of deadly violence in DC?
Resources:
The Committee on the Judiciary & Public Safety will hold a Public Oversight Roundtable on the following: Next Steps in the District’s Public Health-Based Approach to Violence Prevention and Intervention
http://www.charlesallenward6.com/violence_prevention_hearing_1_31_19
Guests:
Garry Clark, CEO & Founder, Pep Rally For Peace In The Streets in DC & Community Activist in Ward 8 (not pictured)
BACKGROUND ON DC SHOOTINGS
The four deaths on Saturday, January 26th, 2019 come amid increasing concern about deadly violence in D.C. Though the number of homicides have dropped overall since peaking in the early 1990s, Washington saw 160 murders in 2018 compared to 116 in 2017 — a 38 percent increase. And so far in 2019, the district has recorded 18 murders, up from 11 at the same time last year, according to police data.
Prosecutors Seek Life For Quadruple Murderer. Hogan Delivers State Of The State Address. Border Security Funding Panel Meets Today. NFL, Maroon 5 Cancel Pre-Super Bowl Press Conference.
(Washington, DC) — Federal prosecutors are seeking life in prison for the Maryland man convicted of killing three members of a Northwest DC family and their housekeeper. Daron Wint was convicted this fall of first-degree murder, kidnapping and arson in the death of Savvas Savopoulos, his wife Amy, their son Philip and their housekeeper Veralicia Figueroa. Prosecutors say Wint held the family hostage for a cash ransom in 2015 and brutally beat them to death. The 37-year-old is set to be sentenced Friday in DC Superior Court.
(Annapolis, MD) — Maryland Governor Larry Hogan is again pushing for bipartisanship. While delivering his State of the State speech in Annapolis today, the Republican called his work with the Democratic-controlled legislature an example of how a divided government does not have to be a divisive government. He urged lawmakers in Annapolis to continue to put priorities before partisan interests, and to continue to deliver real results for the people of Maryland. Hogan outlined his priorities for the General Assembly session, which includes proposals to extend tax breaks for retired military, police officers, fire and rescue, as well as incentives for businesses located in low-income areas. He said he wants to use his platform as a two-term Republican governor in a deeply-blue state to help change the direction of the Republican party.
Congressional members on the committee in charge of creating a way to fund the government and border security meets for the first time today. President Trump is weighing in on the outcome on Twitter, stating if they aren’t talking about a wall or physical barrier, “they are Wasting their time!” The Homeland Security conference committee is made up of 17 members, with nine Democrats and eight Republicans. They have until February 15th to reach a deal on a funding plan that would pass both the House and Senate, along with getting Trumps signature.
(Atlanta, GA) — Super Bowl halftime performers Maroon 5 will not be allowed to hold a press conference before Sunday’s game due to controversy. The NFL announced that unlike recent years there would be no chance for the media to ask questions of the performers. This year’s halftime show took on political overtones because of campaigns asking the acts to back out as a sign of support for former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his social justice campaign. In addition to Maroon 5, rappers Travis Scott and Big Boi are scheduled to perform. The league said it was instead releasing a cross-platform roll out of behind-the-scene videos of the performers getting ready for Sunday’s show. Maroon 5, the NFL and Interscope Records also announced they were donating 500-thousand dollars to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
Young Doctors DC is recruiting young men who have an interest in becoming doctors or a career in the medical field.
Steering males to a career in the medical field. That’s the mission of my guest this evening. He is the Director and Co-Founder of an organization called Young Doctors DC and they are recruiting young men for their program.
My guest is Dr. Malcolm Woodland – Director and Co-Founder of Young Doctors DC
Young Doctors DC (YDDC) is a multi-generational mentoring, education, and pipeline to health careers program for high school boys in Southeast Washington, DC. Through intensive summer programs and Saturday academies at Howard University, YDDC participants are trained in preventive medicine, mental health, and health issues in underserved communities. Selected youth join YDDC during their freshmen year of high school and remain in the program until graduation. 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, instagram and twitter at @bobbygailes for updates and to stay connected.
Listen to this mornings segment here:
Segment 1:
Segment 2:
In the News @ 10
Music legend James Ingram has died….
A pastor’s son is arrested for raping his own daughter…
Metro looks at returning to late night hours…
R&B and Grammy Award winner James Ingram has died. He was only 66 years old. TMZ reports the singer-songwriter died of brain cancer.
Ingram who won two Grammy’s in the 1980s is best known for his song’s “One Hundred Ways” and “Yah Mo B There”. The Ohio native, got his big break playing with the band Revelations Funk and then later the keyboards for Ray Charles. He leaves behind his wife Debra Robinson and his brother Phillip Ingram.
It’s a big issue but Metro Board Members are looking at whether or not to resume late night hours. Yesterday General Manager Paul Weidefeld meet with city leaders and gave them four options.
The four options include 1. Reverting to the original hours of closing at 3 am on Friday’s and Saturday. 2. Opening at 10:30 am on Sunday’s. 3. Closing at 2 am on Friday’s and Saturdays or 4, Keeping the current limited schedule.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser is not moved by any of the options and has asked him to come up with a plan to extend late night hours while allowing time for maintenance.
Police in Brooklyn, New York have arrested a man for repeatedly raping his own daughter. Myia Maples who is currently 14-years-old told a family member that it’s been going on for 6 years ever since her mother passed away.
The father 44-year old Matthew Gibson only has biweekly weekend visits with the child and often meets her at church. All of the alleged sexual encounters took place at the Progressive Baptist Church. Gibson’s father is the bishop and pastor at the church.
The family has gone viral other other young girls who claimed they too were sexually assaulted at the church. The public called for the church to be shut down. As of this report, the church in Brooklyn was closed temporarily as the officials investigate the allegations. The father posted a $10,000 bail and is currently living in a detention house in Brooklyn awaiting trial.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter@taylorthomas963
Updated @11pm on 01/29/19
Alexandria City Public Schools – 2 hours late
Arlington County Schools – 2 hours late
Culpeper County Schools – Closed Wednesday
DC Housing Authority – 2 hours late. No morning kindergarten
Fairfax City Government – Open liberal leave
Fairfax County Government – Open, liberal leave
Fall Church Schools – Open 2 hours late
Fauquier County Government – 2 hours late
Fauguier County Schools – Closed
Federal Government in the DMV – 3 hour late arrival
Frederick County Schools (Virginia) – Closed
George Mason University – Opens at 11am
Georgetown Day Schools – Open 2 hours late
Howard County Schools – closed
Howard University – Opens at 11am
Loudoun County Government – Unscheduled leave
Manassas City Schools – Closed
Manassas Park City Schools – Closed Montgomery County District Court – Open 2 hours late
Montgomery College – Open at 10am
Montgomery County Circuit Court – Open at 10am
Montgomery County Schools – closed
Prince George’s County Schools – 2 hours late Prince William County Schools – Closed
Spotylvania County Schools – 2 hours late
Stafford County Schools – 2 hours late
Trinity University – Opens at 10am
US District Court DC – Opens at 10am
When will all furloughed federal workers get paid? What are they still struggling with even after returning to work?
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN FACTS
35 DAYS OF THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN
Started on December 22
Trump demands $5.7bn in wall funding – a demand Democrats oppose
AFGE
The union is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and is divided into 12 geographical Districts consisting of some 1,100 Locals. More than one-half of AFGE’s members are consolidated into agency-wide bargaining units. Agencies with the highest concentration of union membership include the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Justice.
Of the 1.75 million people employed by the federal government, only 250,000 are based in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. The majority work in federal offices across the nation as police officers, mechanics, lawyers, correctional officers, environmentalists, nurses, mine inspectors and more. The range of jobs performed by both D.C. and federal government employees is impressive and so is their work.
OTHER SHUTDOWNS.
There have been 21 federal government shutdowns since the modern budgeting process began. The reasons have varied from disagreements over abortion to Obamacare, among others.
A list of the shutdowns*:
93rd Annual Black History Luncheon, Foreclosure Prevention, Help with the Opioid Epidemic and more. Details on these events and more inside of this week’s Community Choice. To get your non-profit on the air and web, email me at rnash@whur.com at least three week’s prior to your event.
It’s Black History Month. The Prince George’s Department of Parks invites you to enjoy the rich history and legacy of African Americans at the various exhibits taking place through out the county. www.blackhistory.pgparks.com
Scholarship opportunities are available thru the Prince George’s County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America. The deadline is February 15th. www.jackandjill.org.
Now is the time to get healthy. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority is hosting a Health Fair March 23rd at the Glenarden Community Center www.dzzhealthfair.eventbrite.com .
Celebrate Black History Month. Enjoy an evening of jazz and soulful music February 9th in Burke, Virginia. It’s hosted by Minority Parents for Excellence in Education. www.mpee.lb.org
Are you behind on your mortgage or property taxes? Attend a FREE Foreclosure Prevention Clinic hosted by Housing Counseling Services, Inc. www.housingetc.org.
The 93rd Annual Black History Luncheon hosted by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History is February 16th at the Washington Renaissance Hotel. www.asalh.org
Don’t let the opioid epidemic devastate your family. Call the Howard University Urban Health Initiative for help. 202-806-7707.
“She is just a great spokesperson. She is an incredible leader. She has led the charge for voting rights, which is at the root of just about everything else,” Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters. “She knows what working people, the middle class, go through.”
WASHINGTON (AP) — Stacey Abrams, the rising political star who marshaled the power of black female voters but narrowly lost the Georgia governor’s race, will deliver the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters Tuesday that he asked Abrams three weeks ago to take on the role and “was very delighted when she agreed.” Abrams narrowly lost the 2018 race against Republican Brian Kemp after a protracted challenge over blocked votes. Senate Democrats have been urging her to mount a 2020 challenge to Republican Sen. David Perdue, who has emerged as one of Trump’s most outspoken allies on Capitol Hill.
“She is just a great spokesperson. She is an incredible leader. She has led the charge for voting rights, which is at the root of just about everything else,” Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters. “She knows what working people, the middle class, go through.”
The role elevates Abrams in a party that’s looking to keep core supporters, such as black women who anchor the Democratic base, energized ahead of the 2020 congressional and presidential elections.
Abrams’ travel and meeting schedule in recent weeks tells the story of how hotly Democrats have pursued her as their top choice to challenge Perdue: She’s been inundated with calls from Democratic Party leaders, including Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House campaign chief Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto. Abrams also met privately with presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Democratic House members from her state.
Party officials see an Abrams candidacy as a promising scenario all around in 2020. Enthusiasm around her Senate run could drive up turnout that would also benefit a Democratic presidential candidate in the state, while the money that a White House campaign would bring to Georgia would help Abrams.
For her part, Abrams has started a voting rights advocacy group but is also considering her own political future and looking to help other Democrats. She is expected to make a decision about the Senate race in coming months.
The State of the Union response often serves as an audition of sorts for ambitious political figures looking to raise their profile. But it’s also frequently a thankless task, with brutal reviews. Republican Sen. Marco Rubio’s lunge for a water bottle became a meme after his response in 2013. Then-Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal was panned for being dull in 2009. In 1996, then-presidential candidate Bob Dole gave a less-than-boffo performance and was widely criticized for his delivery and the lighting.
But for Abrams, the response is not an audition. She’s well-known in the U.S. for nearly winning the governor’s race and disputing the vote.
A group backed by Abrams filed a federal lawsuit this month saying Georgia deprived many low-income people and minorities of their voting rights with Kemp, then secretary of state, overseeing the 2018 election. After a long dispute, Kemp won the governorship.
___
Associated Press Washington Bureau Chief Julie Pace, writers Bill Barrow and Errin Haines Whack and researcher Jennifer Farrar contributed to this report.
During a Quincy tribute concert in L.A. last September, James was noticeably absent when Patti performed their hit song. She soldiered on without him, doing her best impression of her dear friend while singing his part.
James Ingram, 66, has died from his battle with brain cancer.
TMZ reports —
Ingram recorded several chart-toppers in the ’80s, including his #1 duet with Patti Austin, “Baby Come to Me” … as well as “Somewhere Out There” with Linda Ronstadt and “100 Ways.”
He won a Grammy for “Yah Mo B There” — his duet with Michael McDonald — and another for “100 Ways.” He was nominated for 12 other Grammys.
James worked closely Quincy Jones over the years … recording and writing hits. For instance, he cowrote Michael Jackson‘s smash hit, “P.Y.T.”
During a Quincy tribute concert in L.A. last September, James was noticeably absent when Patti performed their hit song. She soldiered on without him, doing her best impression of her dear friend while singing his part.
Baltimore’s Top Prosecutor Halts Prosecution Of marijuana Possession Crimes. Report Shows Spike In Drunk Driving Fatalities. New Bug In iPhone Facetime App. Amazon Bill Heading To Northam’s Desk.
(Baltimore, MD) — The state’s attorney in Baltimore will no longer prosecute any marijuana possession cases, regardless of the quantity of the drug or an individual’s prior criminal record, authorities announced Tuesday.
Marilyn Mosby, the city’s top prosecutor, said pot possession cases have no public safety value, erode public trust in law enforcement, and intensify existing racial disparities in the criminal justice system since arrests disproportionately occur in communities of color.
Mosby’s office will still go after dealers and traffickers by prosecuting marijuana distribution cases. But officials said the money and energy prosecuting any type of simple possession case could now be redirected to address more significant crimes in a U.S. city grappling with chronically high violent crime rates and no shortage of dangerous drug syndicates.
“No one who is serious about public safety can honestly say that spending resources to jail people for marijuana use is a smart way to use our limited time and money,” she said.
(Washington, DC) — A new report shows the number of people killed in drunk driving incidents in the District spiked in 2017. The report from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments says alcohol and drug-impaired traffic fatalities increased by nearly 46-percent in 2017. Eighty-six people died that year compared with 59 in 2016. Both Prince George’s and Montgomery counties saw the number of alcohol-impaired traffic fatalities double. The report also found the number of arrests for driving under the influence or driving while impaired declined by more than eight-percent.
(Cupertino, CA) — iPhone users are being warned of a technical glitch that could put your safety at risk. A newly discovered bug in the iPhone’s Facetime app lets people hear through someone else’s iPhone, even if they haven’t answered the call. Apple says the bug seems to rely on the Facetime Group Call feature, which launched just last year. The technology giant says a fix is coming this week. Apple recommends turning off Facetime on your iPhone to prevent anyone from snooping.
(Richmond, VA) — Virginia Governor Ralph Northam says he plans to sign the bill approving 750-million-dollars in Amazon subsidies. The Virginia House of Delegates voted overwhelming yesterday to give Amazon the subsidies over 15-years for the company’s planned headquarters in Arlington. Amazon would receive the subsidies only after it creates thousands of new jobs, which are expected to generate several times more in tax revenue than the state is giving to the online-retail giant. The jobs must provide average salaries of 150-thousand-dollars. Amazon announced in November it would bring its “HQ-2” project to Northern Virginia and New York.
“The need to press criminal charges for his acts overshadows the embarrassment of making his crimes against me public through this report,” Campbell-Martin said in court documents.
TMZ is reporting Campbell-Martin had to file for a restraining order against her ex alleging years of physical and emotional abuse. In court documents obtained by the blog site, she claims she was punched in the chest and grabbed by Martin in December.
Campbell-Martin filed for divorce in February of 2018 but claims she suffered abuse since 1996 at the hands of her ex-husband.
“The need to press criminal charges for his acts overshadows the embarrassment of making his crimes against me public through this report,” Campbell-Martin said in court documents.
The actor was attacked by two individuals screaming racial and homophobic slurs. They then proceeded to pour a chemical substance on him before placing a rope around his neck. Police said the alleged attackers then fled the scene.
The actor was attacked by two individuals screaming racial and homophobic slurs. They then proceeded to pour a chemical substance on him before placing a rope around his neck. Police said the alleged attackers then fled the scene.
Police said Smollett took himself to Northwestern Hospital and is in good condition. The actor’s rep has not released a statement at this time.
Authorities are looking for tips from the community and urge residents to call Area Central Detectives at 312-747-8382 with any information.
We pray Jussie Smollett recovers fully from this horrible attack and his attackers are brought to justice.
We’re teaming up with Subway to provide a free lunch for those impacted by the shutdown
The federal government shutdown is finally over, but we want to still show our support for federal government workers. WHUR is teaming up this week with Subway to provide free lunch for those who have been impacted by the shutdown. My guest this morning is Farhat Elmohtaseb – Board Chair for Subway Restaurants in the DC area.
Subway and WHUR are teaming up to provide free lunch to federal government workers and contractors who were feeling the pinch during the government shutdown. On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week, we will be at designated Subway stores handing out $10 Subway gift cards to the first 50 people. Visit www.whur.com for locations and details and times.
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, instagram and twitter at @bobbygailes for updates and to stay connected.
Listen to this mornings segments here:
Part 1
Part 2
“One thing that she does very well … is when she makes these movies, people from around the world … watch these roles that she plays and they see themselves in her and her performances no matter what character she plays,” Singleton said.
Taraji P. Henson was honored Monday with a star on the Hollywood Walk OF Fame. Friends Mary J. Blige and John Singleton spoke at her unveiling ceremony.
“I just want to thank all the beautiful fans who came out today because you didn’t have to, I can’t reach all of you, but I want you to know you mean the world to me, because I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you,” Henson said as she got emotional.
Henson made her film debut in 2001’s Baby Boy and delivered a breakthrough performance in Hustle & Flow in 2005, where she also sang on the Oscar-winning song “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp.”
“This star is way overdue,” Blige said about her very close friend. “It is a blessing to know someone so talented, so real and so much fun.”
Singleton, the director of Baby Boy, said she had earned the ability to get the films she wants made after her long career as a remarkable actress.
“One thing that she does very well … is when she makes these movies, people from around the world … watch these roles that she plays and they see themselves in her and her performances no matter what character she plays,” he said.
Henson, 48, dedicated her star to the next generation of actresses, while paying respect to those who came before her.
“I fight for roles that will break through glass ceilings so that with these young women coming behind me, they won’t have the same narrative that we had,” she said.
In the News @ 10
The DMV is bracing for a wintry mix…
10-year-old black boy commits suicide because of school bullying…
Montgomery Co. double murder mystery…
Several school systems have already announced that they are going to close two hours early. It is in anticipation of this afternoon rain that will turn into sleet and then snow. We could see 1 to 3 inches during the rush hour drive home.
Montgomery County Public Schools have just announced that they will close 2 1/2 hours early. Closing 2 hours early include Prince George’s, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Fredericksburg, and Stafford County public schools.Remember for up-to-date school closings or delays you can always go to whur.com.
Montgomery County Police have a murder mystery on their hands. Responding to 911 calls last night officers found two men shot to death in a car.
The victims found on Stewart Lane have not been identified. The driver hit several parked vehicles before coming to a stop. The only information that we have about the victims is that they are both males.
The parents of 10-year-old Seven Bridges is suing the Louisville, Kentucky school system in connection with their son’s suicide. His little body was found hanging in his closet last week. His parents had just run out to the store.
The family says they reported on several occasions to school leaders that their son Seven was being bullied at school and on the school bus but nothing was being done. Sadly he chose to take his own life after being called the N-word at school and taunted.
Bridges who had health problems had some 26 surgeries on his bowels. A point he had a colostomy bag but that has since been removed. Unfortunately, he would still suffer leaks.
A 2018 study in JAMA Pediatrics shows young African Americans suicide rates are double that of white kids. It’s a growing issue that needs to addressed locally and nationally.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963
Another round of wintry mix is expected to hit the DMV Tuesday into Wednesday and school systems are closing early to make sure students are home before the roads become treacherous. We have the list of early dismissals.
Updated 01/29/19 @ 2:00pm
Alexandria City Schools – Closing 2 hours early
Alexandria City Public Schools – Closing 2 hours early
Arlington County Schools – Closing 2 hours early
Carrol County Schools – closing 2 hours early
Clarke County Schools – closing at 12:30pm
Fairfax County Schools – Closing 2 hours early
Falls Church Government – Open liberal leave
Fauquier County Schools – Closing 2 hours early
Frederick County Schools in VA – Closed
Federal Offices in the Washington Area – Employees should depart 2 hours earlier than their normal departure times
Fredericksburg Public Schools – Closing 2 hours early
GW Community School – Closing at 12pm
Howard County Schools – Closing 3 hours early
Howard University – Closing at 3pm. All classes after 3pm canceled
King George County Schools – Closing 2 hours early
Loudoun county Schools – Closing 2 hours early
Montgomery County Schools – Closing 2 – 2 1/2 hours early
National Christian Academy – Closing at 2:30pm
Page County Schools – Closing at 1pm
Prince George’s County Government – Closing at 3pm
Prince George’s County Schools – Closing 2 hours early
Prince William County Schools – Closing 2 hours early
Spotsylvania County Schools – Closing Early
Stafford County Schools – Closing 2 hours early
How to become a mentor for a child in the DC metro.
Resources:
The United Way, National Capital Area: unitedwaynca.org/mentoring
The U.S. Dream Academy: https://usdreamacademy.org/
Charles County Deputy Suicide. National Mall Open For Business. MDOT MTA Continues To Offer Free Rides To Federal Employees. Wintry Mix Set To Hit DC This Week.
(Accokeek, MD) — Officials say an officer found dead inside a car in Accokeek was from an apparent suicide. Corporal Patrick Mann of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office was found dead in his personal vehicle Thursday around midnight on Route 210. Prince George’s County Police say he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Mann was a school resource officer assigned to Saint Charles High School in Waldorf and had been with the department since 2005.
(Washington, DC) — Things are getting back to normal on the National Mall as the government shutdown has temporarily come to an end. Monuments and memorials on the National Mall resumed normal operations yesterday after the 35 day shutdown. The National Zoo will reopen tomorrow, along with other museums that were closed. Meanwhile, furloughed federal employees returned to work today after more than a month. The longest shutdown in U.S. history ended Friday when President Trump signed off on a short-term funding measure good for the next three weeks.
(Baltimore, MD) — Federal employees affected by the partial government shutdown will still be able to catch free rides on the rails and buses in Maryland through the end of the business week. Since many workers won’t see back pay until later this week, M-DOT Secretary Pete Rahn is extending free transit service on MARC trains, Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink as well as the many bus services operating around the state. Governor Hogan launched the free ride program to help federal employees on January 24th. Those workers simply have to show their government ID to continue scoring free rides through Friday.
(Washington, DC) — Rain, snow and single-digit wind chills will be hitting the DC area this week. The National Weather Service says clouds will move into the DC region by noon tomorrow with temperatures expected to drop below freezing. Rain is expected to turn to snow after 4:00 p.m., with two-to-four inches possible. Wind chills are expected to be in the single digits and teens going into Wednesday. The coldest day of the week will be Thursday, with temperatures between five and ten degrees in the morning.
Fruit contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Peaches, nectarines, and plums sold in a number of states are being recalled for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Potentially contaminated fruit (specifically nectarines) were sold in Maryland Walmart Stores.
The FDA.gov website states:
Jac. Vandenberg, Inc. of Yonkers, New York is recalling 1,727 cartons of Fresh Peaches, 1,207 cartons of Fresh Nectarines and 365 cartons of Fresh Plums because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
To see the full list of states affected, see here.
To date, no illnesses have been reported but routine sampling revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria.
Consumers who have purchased Fresh Peaches, Fresh Nectarines and Fresh Plums are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at compliance@jacvandenberg.com.
In the News @ 10
Thousands of furloughed workers return to the job…
DC leaders deal with another violent and deadly weekend…
Virginia police decide not to investigate racial slogan written on a mural for a black Greek Sorority…
Charlottesville, Virginia police say they will not investigate the racist slogan, “It’s Ok to be White” spray painted on a mural for a Greek lettered Sorority. The incident happened this month at the University of Virginia.
The mural that was on the Beta Bridge was done to honor the sororities founders day which was January 16th. Charlottesville Police gave no reason as to why they were not going to look into the criminal act many say was racially motiviated.
The racist slogan, “It’s Ok to be white” has been found on several universities and colleges across the U.S. It is used by alt-right and white supremacist groups. The University of Virginia Dean of students has denounced the slogan.
Now that 800,000 furloughed workers are back on the job this morning, the next thing they want to know is when will they get their back pay. According to reports from the United States Office of Personnel, most employees affected with have their money by Thursday.
Congress now has until February 15th to come up with a spending plan or we could be faced with another shutdown. The big issue is protection for illegal immigrants already in the country and Presidents Trump’s request for $5.7 million dollars for a border wall to be constructed.
DC’s Mayor and Police Chief held a press conference over the weekend following a string of fatal shootings. On Saturday alone 7 people were shot. Officers were called to a triple homicide on Fort Davis Place in Southeast.
No arrests have been made in any of the cases and neither Police Chief Peter Newsham or DC Mayor Muriel Bowser have one single reason for the uptick in homicides. They both agree that it has to do with the number of guns on the streets and some retaliation over neighbor disputes or drug deals. Chief Newsham is expected to introduce some new initiatives but those details have not been released.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter @taylorthomas963
WHUR, Howard University, and FedEx team up to collect over $50k and 30,000lbs of food for Capital Area Food Bank to assist federal workers and contractors as employees wait for their back pay.
Washington, D.C. (January 25, 2019) – As stories poured in about the hardship faced by furloughed federal workers and contractors, WHUR 96.3FM, Howard University and FedEx jumped in to host a two-day “Rolling Food Drive,” collecting $54,000 and filling three FedEx trucks and two WHUR vans with 30,000lbs of food.
WHUR urged its listeners to bring non-perishable food Thursday, January 24th and Friday, January 25th to designated stops across the DMV and the response was overwhelming. “Our listeners never miss an opportunity to show their support. We are very thankful for their generosity,” said WHUR Interim General Manager Sean Plater.
The “Rolling Food Drive” made stops at the Howard University Administration Building, John A. Wilson Building in the District, Wayne Curry Administration Building in Prince George’s County, and Alexandria City Hall in Virginia.
Howard students, faculty, and staff endured frigid temperatures, rain, and winds early Thursday morning to be first to pack the FedEx truck. “Howard University is rooted in service and we wanted to make sure we were part of this effort to assist our government workers in their hour of need,” said Debbi Jarvis – Senior Vice President of Corporate Relations at Howard. Jarvis also presented the Capital Area Food Bank with a $2,000 check on behalf of the University.
Over in Prince George’s County, a steady stream of elected leaders and workers helped to fill the FedEx truck beyond capacity with an assortment of non-perishable items. County Executive Angela Alsobrooks made a surprise presentation of $50,000 to the Capital Area Food Bank. “This furlough has impacted our residents disproportionately. Thank you to WHUR and its partners for hosting this food drive,” added Alsobrooks.
Not to be outdone by their D.C. or Prince George’s counterparts, residents of Alexandria were in place as the “Rolling Food Drive” made its final stop Friday afternoon even as News broke that the furlough was over. Bags of donations lined the front steps of City Hall. “We were in total amazement by the volume of donations,” added Plater.
All of the donations have been presented to the Capital Area Food Bank, which is the largest organization in the Washington metro area working to solve hunger and its companion problems.
“Black Panther” took home the top award for best performance by a cast in a motion picture at the 2019 Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday night.
See below for the complete list of winners.
“Black Panther” took home the top award for best performance by a cast in a motion picture at the 2019 Screen Actors Guild Awards on Sunday night.
See below for the complete list of winners.
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series
Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award: Alan Alda
The commitment to help our federal government employees continues. Join WHUR and Subway Restaurants for lunch on us this week at three locations. Check inside for details…
The commitment to help our federal government employees continues. Join WHUR and Subway Restaurants for lunch on us this week at three locations. We’ll be at a specific location on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday treating the first 50 employees to a free lunch WHUR and Subway Restaurants working to make life a little easier for our government employees and contractors.
*Free Lunch on Us! $10 Subway Restaurant Gift Card for the first 50 furloughed federal government workers or contractors.
*Make sure you bring your federal government ID to receive the gift card. Only 1 card per person.
The government shutdown lasted for 35 days. A bill to fund the affected agencies until February 15th has been signed. What are the lessons and what might be ahead for government workers, The President and the nation?
Guests:
Trump Endorses Deal To End Govt Shutdown. Congressional Dems Applaud Deal To End Shutdown. Stone Says He’s Falsely Accused. Police ID Officer Found Dead In Vehicle.
(Washington, DC) — The end of the partial government shutdown is in sight. President Trump says terms have been reached on a spending deal to end the shutdown that’s lasted for more than a month. At the White House today, Trump praised government employees for the hardships they have endured. The deal would allow affected government workers to get back to work and set the stage for serious negotiations with congressional leaders on a long-term spending deal. Furloughed employees would get back pay.
(Washington, DC) — Top Democrats are applauding the short-term budget deal that would end the partial government shutdown. At the Capitol today, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called it great news for roughly 800-thousand affected government employees. Schumer accused the Trump administration of displaying “callous indifference” to the federal workers. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi praised affected workers for their character while enduring the hardships of the past few weeks.
The deal was announced by President Trump at the White House. It funds affected areas of the federal government until mid-February. Furloughed employees will get back-pay. The short-term deal does not include border wall funding that Trump has been demanding. Schumer said Democrats will work closely with Trump and congressional Republicans on border security, without a wall. He argued that federal employees should never be held hostage by a policy dispute again.
(Fort Lauderdale, FL) — President Trump’s longtime associate Roger Stone claims he has been falsely accused in connection with Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Stone was arrested in a predawn raid at his home today. Outside a courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, Stone said he’d plead not guilty to a federal indictment that accuses him of making false statements, witness tampering and lying to Congress.
(Accokeek, MD) — Authorities are identifying the police officer found dead inside a car in Accokeek last night. Corporal Patrick Mann of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office was found dead in his personal vehicle around midnight on Route 210. Mann was a school resource officer assigned to Saint Charles High School in Waldorf. Police are investigating the cause of death at this time, but say they don’t believe it was the result of a crash or homicide. As police shutdown the highway to investigate early this morning, another officer was hurt when his cruiser was hit by an SUV. He was hospitalized in stable condition.
Trump says he’ll sign legislation shortly to reopen shuttered government departments for three weeks — until Feb. 15.
Trump says he’ll sign legislation shortly to reopen shuttered government departments for three weeks — until Feb. 15.
Trump’s action would end what has become a record, 35-day partial shutdown.
Some 800,000 federal workers have had to work without pay or have been kept from doing their jobs as Trump and congressional Democrats were locked in a stalemate over the billions of dollars that Trump has demanded to build a U.S.-Mexico border wall.
Trump spoke at the White House on Friday as intensifying delays at some of the nation’s busiest airports and widespread disruptions brought new urgency to efforts to break the impasse.
Of the 26,000 employees recalled, about 12,000 have come to work, the IRS officials said. Around 5,000 have claimed the hardship exception under the union contract and another 9,000 couldn’t be reached by IRS managers.
Fewer than half the furloughed IRS employees recalled during the shutdown to handle tax returns and taxpayers’ questions and send out refunds, without pay, reported for work as of Tuesday, according to congressional and government aides.
About 30 percent of the 26,000 recalled workers have sought permission under their union contract to be absent from work, IRS officials told House committee staff in a briefing Thursday. The IRS employees’ union contract allows them to be absent from work if they experience hardship during a shutdown.
The official start of the tax filing season comes Monday. The Trump administration has promised that taxpayers owed refunds will be paid on time, and it reversed the policies of earlier presidents and made the money available to pay hundreds of hundreds of billions in refunds on time. The administration planned to eventually send about 46,000 furloughed IRS employees back to work. That’s nearly 60 percent of the IRS workforce.
Of the 26,000 employees recalled, about 12,000 have come to work, the IRS officials said. Around 5,000 have claimed the hardship exception under the union contract and another 9,000 couldn’t be reached by IRS managers.
—By Marcy Gordon
“I believe this young man, his story, will save a lot of lives,” Jay Z told the Associated Press before the series aired. “What was done to him was a huge injustice and I think people will see his story and realize, man, this is going on.”
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City will pay $3 million to the family of Kalief Browder, whose long detention in solitary confinement and suicide at age 22 made him a symbol of a broken justice system, city officials said Thursday.
Browder was 16 when he was arrested and accused in 2010 of robbing a man of his backpack, a crime he denied committing. Because his family couldn’t afford to pay $3,000 bail, he spent three years at the city’s Rikers Island jail complex awaiting a trial that never came, nearly half of it in solitary confinement.
Prosecutors eventually dropped the charge. Browder was freed, but he killed himself at age 22 in 2015.
His story , first told in The New Yorker, prompted a wave of local and national reforms.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced in December 2014 that the city was ending the use of solitary confinement for 16- and 17-year-olds.
Former president Barack Obama cited Browder’s case when he announced a ban on solitary confinement for juveniles in 2016. Browder’s life “was a constant struggle to recover from the trauma of being locked up alone for 23 hours a day,” Obama said in an op-ed in The Washington Post.
New York has also been taking steps to permanently close Rikers Island and replace it with smaller, neighborhood-based facilities. Gov. Andrew Cuomo now supports a proposal to abolish cash bail so that only those considered a public safety threat are held pending trial.
Nichaolas Paolucci, a spokesman for the city law department, said the officials hope the settlement and the continuing reforms “help bring some measure of closure to the Browder family.”
“Kalief Browder’s story helped inspire numerous reforms to the justice system to prevent this tragedy from ever happening again, including an end to punitive segregation for young people on Rikers Island,” Paolucci said.
Sanford Rubenstein, a lawyer for Browder’s estate, called the settlement “fair and reasonable.”
Advocates for criminal justice reform blamed Browder’s suicide on his harsh treatment at the hands of correction officers, the clogged court system’s endless delays and the psychological damage inflicted by prolonged solitary confinement.
A six-part miniseries produced by Jay Z and Harvey Weinstein called, “Time: The Kalief Browder Story,” aired on Spike TV in 2017.
“I believe this young man, his story, will save a lot of lives,” Jay Z told the Associated Press before the series aired. “What was done to him was a huge injustice and I think people will see his story and realize, man, this is going on.”
Browder’s death spurred his brother Akeem Browder to run for mayor of New York on the Green Party ticket in 2017. De Blasio, a Democrat, won re-election with 66 percent of the votes cast. Browder got fewer than 2 percent.
“We’re going to waive all fees for these impacted federal employees for all MTA services,” Hogan said during a news conference after touring the airport’s security checkpoints. “Every single state transportation service is going to be free.”
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced the Maryland Transit Administration will offer free bus, light rail, metro and MARC service to unpaid government workers until the end of the government shutdown.
Gov. Hogan made the announcement Thursday during a press conference at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
“We’re going to waive all fees for these impacted federal employees for all MTA services,” Hogan said during a news conference after touring the airport’s security checkpoints. “Every single state transportation service is going to be free.”
The Baltimore Sun reports —
Offering free transportation to more than 170,000 federal workers indefinitely could cost Maryland about $1.5 million per month, according to initial MTA estimates.
The state also is collecting food donations at 15 locations across the state in a program called #MDHelps, anticipating even greater need if the shutdown lasts beyond the end of February, when SNAP benefits — food stamps — will no longer be funded.
Roughly one in five Maryland households relies on food stamps.
“Next month could be a disaster if we don’t get that fixed,” Hogan said.
Several restaurants in the terminal are offering discounted or free meals to furloughed government workers.
“FBI open the door!” one shouts. “FBI, warrant!” Stone could then be seen in the doorway in his sleepwear before he was led away. He is expected to appear in court later Friday.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Shouting “FBI, open the door,” authorities arrested Roger Stone, a confidant of President Donald Trump, before dawn Friday in a criminal case that revealed that senior members of the Trump campaign sought to benefit from the release of hacked emails damaging to Hillary Clinton.
Stone, a self-proclaimed “dirty trickster,” faced a seven-count indictment in the first criminal case in months from special counsel Robert Mueller.
The indictment provides the most detail to date about how Trump campaign associates in the summer of 2016 were actively seeking the disclosure of emails the U.S. says were hacked by Russia, then provided to the anti-secrecy website WikiLeaks. It alleges that unidentified senior Trump campaign officials contacted Stone to ask when stolen emails relating to Clinton might be disclosed.
The indictment does not charge Stone with conspiring with WikiLeaks or with the Russian officers Mueller says hacked the emails. Instead, it accuses him of lying to Congress about WikiLeaks, tampering with witnesses and obstructing the probe into whether the Trump campaign coordinated with the Kremlin to tip the election.
Some of those false statements were made to the House intelligence committee, prosecutors allege.
CNN aired video of the raid at Stone’s Fort Lauderdale, Florida, home, showing FBI agents in body armor using large weapons and night-vision equipment, running up to the home and banging repeatedly on the door.
“FBI open the door!” one shouts. “FBI, warrant!” Stone could then be seen in the doorway in his sleepwear before he was led away. He is expected to appear in court later Friday.
Stone is the sixth Trump aide charged in Mueller’s investigation into potential coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign and the 34th person overall. The investigation has laid bare multiple contacts between Trump associates and Russia during the campaign and transition period and efforts by several to conceal those communications.
The case against Stone comes weeks after Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was castigated by a judge in open court and just hours before Paul Manafort, his ex-campaign chairman, was due in court on allegations that he had lied to Mueller’s prosecutors.
In referring to Trump campaign officials and their desire to leverage hacked emails, the criminal case brings Mueller’s investigation into the president’s inner circle but it does not accuse the president of any wrongdoing or reveal whether he had advance knowledge of the WikiLeaks trove.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Trump’s press secretary, told CNN on Friday the charges brought against Stone “don’t have anything to do with the president.”
Well-known for his political antics and hard ball tactics, Stone has reveled in being a Washington wheeler-dealer dating back to the Nixon administration. He has also pushed several conspiracy theories and was an early and vocal supporter of Trump’s candidacy.
Stone was one of Trump’s earliest political advisers, encouraging both his presidential runs. He briefly served on Trump’s 2016 campaign, but was pushed out amid infighting with then-campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Stone continued communicating with Trump on occasion and stayed plugged into the circle of advisers — both formal and informal — who worked with and around Trump.
According to the indictment, many of Stone’s conversations during the campaign involved WikiLeaks. The indictment lays out in detail Stone’s conversations about stolen Democratic emails posted by the group in the weeks before Trump, a Republican, beat Clinton. Mueller’s office has said those emails, belonging to Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta, were hacked by Russian intelligence officers.
The document says that by June and July 2016, Stone had told senior Trump campaign officials that he had information indicating that WikiLeaks had obtained documents that could be damaging to Clinton’s campaign.
After the July 22, 2016, WikiLeaks release of hacked emails from the Democratic National Committee, the indictment says a senior Trump campaign official “was directed” to contact Stone about additional releases and “what other damaging information” WikiLeaks had “regarding the Clinton campaign.” The indictment does not name the official or say who directed the outreach to Stone.
Another Trump campaign official cited in the indictment is Steve Bannon, who later became Trump’s chief strategist in the White House. Bannon, referred to as a “high-ranking Trump Campaign official,” exchanged emails with Stone in October 2016 about WikiLeaks’ plans for releasing hacked material. The indictment quotes from those emails, which had previously been made public by news outlets.
While the indictment provides some new insight into the Trump campaign, it deals largely with what prosecutors say were Stone’s false statements about his conversations with conservative writer and conspiracy theorist, Jerome Corsi, and New York radio host, Randy Credico. Corsi is referred to as Person 1 in the indictment, and Credico as Person 2.
The indictment accuses Stone of carrying out a “prolonged effort” to keep Credico from contradicting his testimony before the House intelligence committee. During that effort, prosecutors note that Stone repeatedly told Credico to “do a ‘Frank Pentangeli,’” a reference to a character in “The Godfather: Part II” who lies before a congressional committee.
Stone is also accused of threatening Credico. The indictment cites several messages, some of which have already been public, that Stone sent to Credico last year. On April 9, Stone called Credico a “rat” and a “stoolie” and accused him of backstabbing his friends. Stone also threatened to “take that dog away from you,” a reference to Credico’s dog, Bianca.
“I am so ready. Let’s get it on. Prepare to die (expletive),” Stone also wrote to Credico.
The indictment had been expected. Stone has said for months he was prepared to be charged, though he has denied any wrongdoing. A grand jury for months had heard from witnesses connected to Stone. And the intelligence committee last year voted to release a transcript of Stone’s testimony to Mueller as a precursor to an indictment.
On Thursday, hours before his arrest, Stone posted on Instagram a photo of himself with Trump and the caption, “Proud of my President.” He also posted a screen shot of a CNN segment and complained that the network had found the “worst photo of me possible.”
Attorney Grant Smith, who represents Stone, did not return phone messages seeking comment Friday.
Stone has publicly denigrated the Mueller investigation and echoed the president’s descriptions of it as a witch hunt. But he has long attracted investigators’ attention, especially in light of a 2016 tweet that appeared to presage knowledge that emails stolen from Podesta would soon be released. Stone has said he had no inside information about the contents of the emails in WikiLeaks’ possession or the timing of when they’d be released.
Stone has said he learned from Credico that WikiLeaks had the emails and planned to disclose them. Stone has also spoken openly about his contacts with Corsi.
Credico hasn’t been accused of any wrongdoing. Last year, Mueller’s prosecutors offered a plea agreement to Corsi that would have required him to admit that he intentionally lied to investigators about a discussion with Stone about WikiLeaks. But he rejected the offer and denied that he lied.
In a tweet Friday, Podesta wrote that it was now “Roger’s time in the barrel.” That was a play on Stone’s own words. Stone had tweeted cryptically before the Podesta emails were disclosed that it would soon be Podesta’s “time in the barrel.”
“Taraji P Henson is a powerful woman and a powerful actress. She is an entertainer that fans cannot take their eyes off of due to her great acting ability,” said Ana Martinez, producer of the Walk Of Fame. “We welcome her bright star on our Walk Of Fame.”
Oscar-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson is set to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. Mary J. Blige and producer John Singleton are scheduled to speak at the ceremony.
“Taraji P Henson is a powerful woman and a powerful actress. She is an entertainer that fans cannot take their eyes off of due to her great acting ability,” said Ana Martinez, producer of the Walk Of Fame. “We welcome her bright star on our Walk Of Fame.”
Henson graduated from Howard University raising a young son on her own. She played some of our favorite roles Hidden Figures, Empire, Baby Boy, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, and countless other films. WATCH Taraji share her rise to fame here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BsyiYqVnWC_/
Henson stars in the upcoming film What Men Want co-starring Erykah Badu, Tamala Jones, Tracy Morgan, and Shaquille O’Neal.
The unveiling ceremony is scheduled for February 9th.
Congrats sis!!!
Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Aisha Braveboy discusses, drunk driving, domestic violence, guns and juvenile justice.
