A missing man who won $30 million in the Florida lottery in 2006 was found dead on January 28 after a three-month search. Abraham Shakespeare had not been seen by friends or relatives since April and was officially declared a missing person in November. Authorities found his body buried under a concrete slab in the […]
Category: NEWS
Posted inNational News
Democrats Not Giving Up on Health Care Reform
Though their hopes of achieving health care reform took a hit with the election of Republican Scott Brown to the Senate in a special Massachusetts election in mid-January, Democrats have vowed to keep fighting until a reform bill is passed. “You go through the gate. If the gate’s closed, you go over the fence,” House […]
Posted inNational News
Obama Knocks Supreme Court Decision in Address
President Obama’s State of the Union Address on January 27 featured a rare confrontation between two branches of American government. The president called out the Supreme Court for their recent decision in the case of Citizens United vs. FEC, which overturned two precedents and allowed corporate financing in political campaigns. In a detour from his […]
Posted inNational News
Lawsuits: Calif. Cops Failing to Protect Blacks
Several pending lawsuits allege northern California police have not taken seriously attacks on Black teens by Latino gang members. The racially-motivated violence resulted in the death of 14-year-old Vernon Eddins, who was shot in front of his Union City, Calif. middle school in December 2007. Eddins’ death is one incident lawyers cite in three pending […]
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 inNational News
State of the Union: Jobs No. 1 Priority
President Barack Obama, it seems, is the eternal optimist. Despite a year in which Republicans undercut his policies at every turn, the president renewed his call to bipartisanship very early on in his first State of the Union address Wednesday night, calling on lawmakers “to overcome the numbing weight of our politics.” He later said, […]
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 […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Census 2010: The City Needs You To Be Counted
Every 10 years, the United States is required to count the number of people— citizens and non-citizens—living here and in its territories. This year U.S. residents are being counted again. The census tracks, not just the number of people, but where those people are located. This process is important for a number of reasons, mostly […]
Posted inBaltimore News
Md. Senators Favor Young for Council Presidency
The ascension of City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to the mayor’s office on Feb. 4 will set off a new power struggle within the Baltimore legislature. City Council members will conduct a majority-wins vote as soon as next Thursday or Friday, with councilmen Bernard “Jack” Young and William Cole IV as the top contenders. However, […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Donnie Simpson Ends Long Run on WPGC
The relationship between long-time Washington radio personality Donnie Simpson and WPGC 95.5 has ended. Simpson, who made the Washington airwaves his home for 32 years, was also the host of BET’s former music video show, “Video Soul.” “I am filled with mixed emotions. Happy and sad. Happy about tomorrow’s possibilities, but sad about not talking […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
County Politicians Seek to Improve Quality of Life
For lawmakers in Prince George’s County, this year’s General Assembly is all about boosting the image of Maryland’s second-largest Black enclave. Members of the county’s delegation say they are working on various forms of legislation to improve residents’ quality of life and attract prospective residents. Sen. Nathaniel Exum (D-Dist. 24) is introducing a bill that […]
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Laura Murphy Returns to Head ACLU Washington Legislative Office
NEW YORK – The American Civil Liberties Union today announced the appointment of longtime civil liberties and human rights advocate Laura Murphy as director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office. Murphy previously headed the office from 1993-2005. “Laura’s career epitomizes effective, dynamic leadership and advocacy and she is the perfect person to head our legislative […]