Beleaguered Councilman Marion Barry said he broke no laws in awarding a controversial contract to a former aide with whom he also had a romantic relationship. However, the councilman and former leader frequently dubbed “Mayor for Life,” admitted he showed poor judgement by continuing a relationship with the woman. “I didn’t use good judgment in […]
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Posted inWashington D.C. News
Barry Wants to Talk About AllegationsBut Not Yet
Beleaguered Washington, D.C. Councilman Marion Barry has one week to respond to the allegations outlined in the Bennett Report, released on February 16, which accused him of using taxpayer funds for personal purposes. In another of a string of charges made against him since he returned to the council five years ago as the Ward […]
Posted inNational News
Jackson Expresses Outrage Over Ore. Police Shooting
The Rev. Jesse Jackson denounced the shooting of Aaron Campbell in Portland, Ore., calling the incident an outright “execution” and expressing anger that another unarmed Black man has been gunned down by police. Campbell, 25, was killed January 29 by a White police officer after stepping out of an apartment with his hands over his […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Report Reveals Barry Misused City Funds
An investigation by special counsel Robert Bennett into the District of Columbia City Council’s contract and grant distribution habits has revealed among other highlights, that Ward 8 Councilman Marion Barry misused government funds, steering nearly $1 million into the coffers of nonprofits that he created and which were fraught with waste and abuse. Among the […]
Posted inNational News
Former Va. Governor Among Latest Obama Critics
Former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder offered harsh criticism on the Obama White House during the week of February 8, saying that if the president is to fulfill his dream of effecting change for America, he has to up the ante on his leadership skills—and fire some of his key players. Wilder is a Democrat […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Metro Fatalities Still Under Investigation
The series of fatalities and injuries that have occurred over the past year on the mass transit system in Washington have distinguished the system as the region’s worst, according to federal records. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which investigates fatal and severe accidents, reported recently that three of its eight ongoing transit investigations involve […]
Posted inNational News
Oprah, Tyra, Beyonce Realizing the Dreams of Black Women
From the days of the late actress Hattie McDaniel and entrepreneur Eunice Johnson in the early 20th century, Black women have always forged paths of leadership, fighting for success while giving tirelessly of themselves. “I don’t think you ever stop giving. I really don’t. I think it’s an on-going process,” Oprah Winfrey has said. “And […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Crime-Fighting Collaborative Yields Results
Regional efforts to curb violent crime in Washington, D.C., and Maryland have been effective and both jurisdictions have the numbers to prove it. Those were the sentiments expressed this week in a meeting led by District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, as the pair launched into the next phase of […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Norton Counts Down Days to Legalized Gay Marriages
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, who in early January announced a 30-day legislative countdown to when same-sex marriages in the District are legalized, discounted a recent congressional challenge to the city’s Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equity Amendment Act. U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, (R-Utah), introduced a resolution to block the legislation. But, in a recent statement, […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Crime-Fighting Collaborative Yields Results
Regional efforts to curb violent crime in Washington, D.C., and Maryland have been effective and both jurisdictions have the numbers to prove it. Those were the sentiments expressed this week in a meeting led by District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty and Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, as the pair launched into the next phase of […]
Posted inNational News
Wal-Mart Lays Off 11,200 Workers
Despite President Obama’s assurances that the economy is rebounding, residual effects of the ongoing recession have resulted in more job losses. Among the major firms cutting jobs is retail powerhouse Wal-Mart, which said Jan. 24 that it would lay off 11,200 workers at its Sam’s Club division. The Arkansas-based company, which has boasted assets of […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Gray, Teachers Union Angered Over Rhee Comments
City Council Chairman Vincent Gray has launched an inquiry into District Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s recent statements about the city’s school system in a magazine interview. Rhee told Fast Company magazine that teachers fired last year as part of her efforts to reform the school system had been accused of sexually and physically abusing students or […]
