The family of a murdered Black Pace University student is infuriated after the police officer responsible for his death was recently named “officer of the year” by his union. According to The New York Post, Officer Aaron Hess of Pleasantville in Westchester County, N.Y. received the honor in early April. But the relatives of slain […]
Author Archives: AFRO Staff
Posted inAfro Briefs
Duke Lacrosse Accuser May Face More Serious Charges in Boyfriend’s Death
The North Carolina woman who falsely accused three Duke University Lacrosse players of rape nearly five years ago may face more serious charges after her boyfriend, whom she stabbed, died of his injuries. According to the Associated Press, Crystal Magnum, 32, was jailed after police said she stabbed her 46-year-old boyfriend Reginald Daye with a […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Jacksonville, Fla. Black Firefighters Sue City, and Union
Black firefighters in Jacksonville, Fla. filed a class-action suit April 13 against the city and the firefighters’ union alleging that the promotion process discriminates against minorities. “This was done because it needed to be done,” Dennis Thompson, attorney for the Black firefighters told The Florida Times Union. The two sides had been involved in a […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Suspected “DJ Megatron” Murderers Plead Not Guilty
The suspects accused of murdering Corey “DJ Megatron” McGriff, TV personality on BET’s “106 & Park,” recently pleaded not guilty to murder charges brought against them. According to the Associated Press, Richard Cromwell and William Williams were arrested on April 7 and charged with murder, robbery and criminal possession of a weapon. The two appeared […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
State Pro-Life Laws Push Back Abortion Rights
A nationwide push is gathering momentum in the U.S. against a woman’s right to choose, with several states passing laws attacking abortion. Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican, signed two anti-abortion bills April 19. One bill would ban abortions after 21 weeks of pregnancy and the other would require parents’ notarized signatures for girls 17 […]
Posted inHealth
Iceland’s Phallogical Museum Now Has Human “Member”
The small island nation of Iceland is known for its frigid temperatures and volcanoes, but may now be known for something much stranger: the Phallogical Museum, which now has a human penis on display. Sigurdur Hjartarson runs the museum, located in Husavik, and told the Associated Press that while many had pledged their penises to […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Confrontation, Facebook Message Preceded Hudson River Tragedy
Hours before a New York woman drove her vehicle off a boat dock into the Hudson River on April 12, drowning herself and three of her four children, she posted a Facebook message apologizing for the murder-suicide. “I’m sorry everyone forgive me please for what I’m gonna do…This is it!!!” Lashandra Armstrong, 25, wrote. According […]
Posted inNational News
Congress Approves 2011 Spending Plan
Ensuring the nation’s financial stability—at least until September—Congress approved a federal budget bill first hammered out between President Barack Obama and congressional leaders last week to avert a government shutdown. While the measure drew bipartisan support, passing through the House in a 260 to 167 vote and the Senate in a 81 to 19 vote, […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Pastor Plans Prayer Vigil at Gas Pump
A Georgia pastor plans to gather members of his congregation at local gas pumps to pray for lower prices, according to The Associated Press. Pastor Marshall Mabry of the Beacon of Light Christian Center in Dublin, Ga., a small town 130 miles southeast of Atlanta, planned to pray with his church members at a gas […]
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
FBI Releases Report on Notorious B.I.G. Murder Case
The FBI has released its files on the murder of Christopher “Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace. The heavily redacted files don’t say who shot and killed the rap performer as he was leaving a post-Soul Train Music Awards party in Los Angeles 14 years ago. According to CNN, the Los Angeles Police Department investigation has been reopened […]
Posted inSports
Miami Wins Game 1 against 76ers, 97-89
The No. 2 seed Miami Heat took a 1-0 lead in a best-of-seven series after beating the No. 7 seed Philadelphia 76ers, 97-89, on April 16 at US Airlines Arena in Miami, Fla. Heat star forward Chris Bosh hadn’t played in a playoffs game since 2007, but he showed no postseason rust, leading Miami with […]
Posted inAfro Briefs
Marian Wright Edelman Receives National Leader for Justice Award
Marian Wright Edelman, an African-American social activist and founder of the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF), received a national award for her advocacy for children and social change on April 5 as part of the annual John Jay Justice Awards. Celebrated film icon and activist Harry Belafonte presented Edelman with the national leader for justice award […]