Meet the two heroic Capitol Police Officers who prevented a massacre

Special agents Crystal Griner and David Bailey are being hailed as heroes for taking down the gunman who shot House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana and several others at a baseball practice. Their brave actions saved the lives of many.

Crystal Griner

Griner and Bailey are both members of Scalise’s security detail. Both were wounded in their encounter with the gunman. Bailey has been treated and released while Griner who was shot in the ankle is in good condition.

According to Bailey’s LinkedIn page, he’s been a Capitol Police officer for more than nine years. Bailey described his job as: “Primarily responsible for the protection of life and property. Also preventing, detecting and investigating criminal acts.”

Bailey graduated from North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C., in 2007 with a degree in physical education and worked at U.S. Fish and Wildlife before joining the force.

Crystal Griner graduated from Hood College in 2006 where she also played on the woman's basketball team. At this time not much more is known about this hero.

Kamala Harris questions Jeff Sessions and makes him nervous

During a senate hearing Senator Kamala Harris ferociously questioned AG Jeff Sessions until he became flustered and said that he was making him nervous.

Dave Chappelle Donates $50,000 From Michigan Show To Flint Foundation

Dave Chappelle is putting his money where his mouth is and donating $50,000 to a local Flint, Michigan foundation.

The comedian donated all of the proceeds from his June 7 comedy show in Flint to The Community Foundation of Greater Flint, TMZ reports. Established in 1988, the foundation has provided people with “philanthropic interests to easily and effectively support the issues they care about - immediately or through their will.”

“I’m honored that you guys came here tonight,” Chapelle said to the June 7 audience. “I want you to know that just by coming to see me you supported this city. I’m not taking a dime.”

[SOURCE: HUFFINGTONPOST]

McCain says American leadership was better under Obama

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said American leadership was stronger under President Trump's predecessor, President Barack Obama, according to a Guardian report published Sunday.

Asked if the country stood on sturdier ground under Obama's leadership, McCain said "yes," according to the report.

“As far as American leadership is concerned, yes," said McCain, who also vocally criticized many of the Obama administration's foreign policy decisions.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Oprah Winfrey wont be saving the TV series Underground

Rumor had it that The Oprah Winfrey Network was one of the channels (in addition to BET and Hulu) considering picking up the show starring Jurnee Smollett and Aldis Hodge. But at an L.A. press event this week for her network's series, Queen Sugar, Winfrey confirmed that won't be happening.

"I can't afford Underground," Winfrey told a group of eight journalists. "It cost twice as much to make as Queen Sugar. As a matter of fact, my dear friend John Legend called me personally and asked me about it, but we'd already been talking about how we could make it work [...] it's like $5 million an episode, so we can't afford it. It's not cheap, I think because it's a period piece."

Winfrey added that on top of the price, though the show was often trending on Twitter, it just didn't have the ratings to justify the expense, especially considering that OWN is still a young and growing network. "We really tried to make it work," she says. "I wanted to make it work because I think it's a good show. I wanted to be able to save that show, but it did not make good business sense for me."

[SOURCE: Refinery29]

Desperate Search for Missing 12-Year-Old Twins

UPDATE: Twins found! Rickhia and Nicolette McClam, the 12-year-old twin girls who went missing Tuesday, have been found safe, their father told Local 10 News. Read more: Missing 12-year-old twin girls found safe

Rickhia McClam and Nicolette McClam, 12-year-old twin sisters, were supposed to get on a school bus to their Coral Springs middle school Tuesday morning, but police say they never made it.

On Wednesday, Coral Springs Police Department was asking for the community's help in finding the preteens, who were last seen by their father at about 6:45 a.m. Tuesday in the area of Northwest 85th Avenue and 35th Street.

“They are believed to be runaways at this point,” said Coral Springs police spokeswoman Karla Kmiotek. “But they are only 12.”

The girls, who have long dark hair and brown eyes, are approximately 5 feet, 2 inches and weigh 105 pounds.

Police say the sisters may be in the West Palm Beach area or headed to New York City, where their mother lives.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Michelle Kull at 954-344-1800.

[SOURCE: Miami Herald]

Morehouse College Interim President William J. “Bill” Taggart has died

ATLANTA – June 8, 2017 – The Morehouse College Board of Trustees is mourning the loss of Interim President William J. "Bill" Taggart.  Interim President Taggart passed away unexpectedly Thursday at his home in Atlanta.

“We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Bill Taggart, a beloved colleague, father and friend whom I’ve known for many years,” said Willie Woods, '85, Chairman of the Morehouse College Board of Trustees. “For the past two years, Bill devoted himself wholeheartedly to Morehouse College and we were pleased when he assumed the role of Interim President. We are eternally grateful for his loyal support, counsel and the leadership he provided to students, faculty and alumni.”

Woods continued, “Bill was a good friend and a beloved member of the Morehouse community. He was a strong leader who had a positive impact on Morehouse College, the greater Atlanta business community, and all those who knew him. Bill leaves behind a long legacy of commitment to others and unwavering integrity. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, and the entire Morehouse Community, we extend our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones he leaves behind during this difficult time.”

An Atlanta native, Interim President Taggart was appointed to lead Morehouse College on April 7, 2017. He brought more than 30 years of professional experience to the role. Prior to that, Interim President Taggart served as the College's Chief Operating Officer, beginning in 2015. 

Interim President Taggart worked closely with the Board of Trustees, students, faculty, staff, and alumni to lead and transform the institutional development, technology, campus operations, and human resources functions of the College. During this time, he also served as the external relations liaison to the Atlanta business and civic community, as well as with corporate America and various global philanthropic organizations.

Outside of Morehouse College, Interim President Taggart was actively involved in various business and civic organizations. He served as CEO of Atlanta Life Financial Group and was a key member of 100 Black Men of America, as well as the Rotary Club of Atlanta. He also served as chairman of the Atlanta Business League, and was a board member of The Carter Center, Woodruff Arts Center, Westside Future Fund, Carver Bank, and Children Healthcare of Atlanta. He was recently named to the 2018 Class of Leadership Atlanta. Interim President Taggart’s contributions within and outside of Morehouse College are a reflection of his immense dedication and commitment to his community.

The Board of Trustees will be working internally to determine its next steps and the future direction of the College. Provost Michael Hodge will serve as Acting President until a new Interim President is named by the Board of Trustees. 

Kamala Harris questions James Comey

Today, in a Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing, U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris questioned former FBI Director James Comey about Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ continued involvement in the Russia probe despite having recused himself from the investigation. This included Sessions’ recommendation that the President fire Director Comey as head of the FBI, even though Comey was leading that exact investigation in which Sessions recused himself from participating. Watch her 7 minute session with Comey below:

Congressman Payne, Jr. Statement on Former FBI Director James Comey’s Testimony

Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement today on former FBI Director James Comey’s testimony in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee:

“The former FBI director testified, under oath, that President Trump lied, requested a pledge of loyalty, and pressured him to drop the bureau’s investigation of the president’s former National Security Advisor. We are potentially looking at obstruction of justice by President Trump—a felony for which Comey believes the president is being investigated. Many questions remain, including whether Comey was fired in an attempt to undermine the Russia investigation. An independent, bipartisan commission must be formed to get to the full truth.”

NABJ Launches Black Male Media Project to #InspireBlackMen this Saturday

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 7, 2017) -- The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is launching its Black Male Media Project, an initiative to help change the narrative around the lives and images of black men in the news and in society, with a series of workshops nationwide on Saturday, June 10, 2017.

The NABJ Black Male Media Project will launch with 19 NABJ affiliate chapters hosting events in various cities across the United States, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Pittsburgh and St. Louis, all on the same day. The initiative is designed to inspire, support and develop training and mentorship opportunities for black men working in or aspire to work in journalism and media.

"NABJ has created the Black Male Media Project to combat the blotter-to-mugshot images of black male faces, to create a fresh and real view of black men in America and across the diaspora and to help build trust in communities nationwide," said Sarah Glover, NABJ president.

The initiative's launch with feature workshops, panels and events focused on examining newsroom diversity, professional development and networking. The New York Association of Black Journalists event will include Civil Rights Activist Rev. Al Sharpton, New York Daily News justice writer Shaun King and Fox 5 News Director Byron Harmon as part a panel of black male journalists, discussing race and the perception of black males in the media. Concurrently, the Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists will will screen a documentary on that city's historically black business district.
 

Participating chapters will promote the project - open to anyone helping to engage around the value of black males working in newsrooms and media - using the hashtag #InspireBlackMen.  Please share this post with other journalists and use #InspireBlackMen to begin the dialogue that will help fuel a change in the perspective of black men.

 

The second phase of the NABJ Black Male Media Project will be a digital photography project showcased at the NABJ Annual Convention & Career Fair from Aug. 9-13, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NABJ members will be invited to share positive pictures of black men.Some of the images will be displayed during the convention, and hopefully a traveling juried exhibit will happen in the future. More details are forthcoming on the digital photography project.

Also at the #NABJ17 Convention, there will be a special reconvening workshop session focusing on black men and the #InspireBlackMen project.

Media outlets and general questions may direct inquiries to: InspireBlackMen@gmail.com. Partnership inquiries may be addressed to JoAnne Lyons Wooten at jlwooten@nabj.org.

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AtlantaThe Atlanta Association of Black Journalists will host a brunch program on Saturday, June 10 to celebrate Black men and "to help change the lives and images of black men in the news and in society." The program will include a panel of well-known men from different media, including radio/TV/film, sports and music. The panelists will discuss the images of Black men in their respective fields (both negative and positive), what they have experienced, and any changes they are making to provide a solution to the issue.

 

BaltimoreThe Baltimore Association of Black Journalists has a special program designed to inspire, support and develop training and mentorship opportunities for Black men working in journalism and media and those that aspire to. Key figures in media were tapped to lead this effort for Charm City. The chapter has partnered with WBAL-TV 11 & WBAL 1090AM Radio to host the event.

Charlotte
The Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists project is being headed by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Glenn Proctor. Panelists will explore the need to have black men represented in the editorial process, leadership and resilience, and take a critical look at journalism through the eyes of black male reporters. The discussion will include how the industry has changed black male journalists and if that change has an impact on how black journalists cover our communities.

 

Chicago
In an effort to change often-negative portrayals of black men in media, NABJ-CC will host an event to discuss the issue and expose young black men to careers in media while providing one-on-one mentoring to jump-start their futures. There are also plans to take them on a tour of a top local media outlet.

Dallas
The Dallas-Fort Worth Association of Black Journalists is planning a Black Media Day of Presence. Black male journalists will gather for a photo taken by celebrity photographer Steven Williams. Leaders in journalism and the community will help lead a discussion on the state of black males in media in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

 

Little Rock

The Central Arkansas Association of Black Journalists (CAABJ) will partner with KWCP 98.9 radio and mentor African American males who are preparing to take the Certified Radio Operators (CRO) exam. The goal is to help the mentees to become official certified radio operators. The CAABJ mentors will provide training and tutoring through workshops, lectures and practice examinations.

 

Los Angeles
NABJ Los Angeles will host a digital discussion on the state of black males in the media, addressing pressing questions such as how can the media better serve black men. Participants are invited to share the moments when their identity impacted their careers and how and to explain how mentorship has affected their careers. Some of the biggest names in media are expected to weigh in. The chapter is partnering with the LA chapter of the Black Public Relations Society.

Memphis
The Memphis Association of Black Journalists will hold a panel discussion on June 7 with African American males in media and include community organizations that work with black males. The panel will focus on showcasing black males in media and how they can impact our community through mentorship programs and professional development. There will be a digital component with videos to showcase black men in media. We will connect with black males in high school and college to mentor emerging journalists and combat the literacy problem in Memphis.

 

Miami

The South Florida Black Journalists Association is participating in a nationwide initiative highlighting black male journalists who contribute to telling stories about black men and the relationship with the media. There will be an engaging panel discussion that explores the black male story in the media from those who tell it, produce it and view it. The event will be live streamed.

 

New Orleans

The New Orleans Association of Black Journalists (NOABJ) will begin with a panel discussion Perception vs. Reality: Black Men and the Media. Dr. Charles Corprew will lead the discussion. They will partner with  the partnership with M. von Nkosi, creator of the Mi Rialiti social experience app, to gauge participant experiences both with the images of Black men in the media and as Black men working in journalism.

 

New York
The New York Association of Black Journalists is planning a mentorship day to include Rev. Al Sharpton, nationally recognized journalist Shaun King and Fox 5 News Director Byron Harmon as part a panel of black male journalists leading a discussion on race and the perception of black males in the media. Panelist will examine the causes fueling the lack of black males in major mainstream media newsrooms and the relatively narrow scope of coverage on issues affecting black people in the age of President Donald Trump. Recruiters from some of the city's top media companies will be present as well.

Norfolk
The Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals event will include an in-depth look at the barriers facing black male journalists.  The program opens up to attends with a question-and-answer session. A panel of industry leaders and well-known media personalities will help provide insight on the issues raised. Everyone is encouraged to attend, especially young men! The event is free, but donations for HRBMP scholarships are accepted. Let's #InspireBlackMen together!

Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists will hold a series of discussions including newsroom leaders, newsmakers, and community leaders.  They will candidly address questions about how far black journalists come have and how far do they have to go. Participants will receive training in broadcast, including radio, print, and digital reporting. The professional development training will be open to youth.

 

Phoenix

The Arizona Association of Black Journalists will open its session with an engaging discussion about racist graffiti on the home of NBA great LeBron James. A panel of students, journalists, and police will guide participants through the portrayal of black men by the public and how that impacts journalists covering issues that shape the image of black men.

 

Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Black Media Federation invites aspiring and professional photographers/videographers to a networking and mentoring forum where it will discuss images of black men in media. Attendees will engage around the value of black males working in newsrooms and media.  Attendees are welcome to bring their cameras to talk shop.  Those who would like to showcase and discuss their own photos and short videos of black males working and living in Pittsburgh communities may bring them on thumb drives to be shown on a large projector screen. Aspiring photographers in middle, high school and college are encouraged to attend the free forum interactive discussion. 

 

Raleigh-Durham

The Triangle Association of Black Journalists will address issues confronting black male in media online. Veteran journalists in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area will rely on social media to lead the discussion about obstacles facing men of color and provide actionable solutions using the hashtag #InspireBlackMen. They will kick off their digital discussion on speaking directly to emerging journalists in the numerous colleges in the area working to establish a career.

St. Louis
The Greater St. Louis Association of Black Journalists will meet on the campus of Saint Louis University, Boileau Hall. Their journalists are teaming up with representatives from the arts, youth development and social research to tackle the issue of negative stereotypes, damaging images and how they affect black men and boys. The panel discussion and question-and-answer session will include some of the strongest voices in media in the St. Louis area.

Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Association of Black Journalists will take a look at the community Journalists cover through a special documentary screening to delve into Central Avenue, the historically black business district in the city, a vibrant area until its physical and symbolic demise in 1974. Their program will recognize African-American pioneers in the Tampa television market, with profiles of and encouragement from, current journalists and provide an opportunity for current and emerging journalists to learn from their struggles.

Wisconsin Black Media Association
Wisconsin Black Media Association will facilitate a talk with young men aged 14 to 25 years old, and Milwaukee's Brothers in the Media. This is a free event, and attendees will get a chance to participate in a candid dialogue about working in the world of media. These influential speakers can give genuine insight into what they do, why they do it, and the hurdles and rewards presented to them here in the Greater Milwaukee Area. This event is a great networking opportunity for those looking to the careers of Journalism in News, Print, Radio/Podcasts, Blogs and Social Media. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

###

 

About the National Association of Black Journalists: An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization for journalists of color in the nation and provides career development as well as educational and other support to its members worldwide. For additional information, please visit  www.nabj.org.

Darrell Wallace Jr. will be NASCAR's first black Cup driver since 2006

There isn't much diversity in NASCAR. Maybe a splash of Bubba will help change that.

Darrell "Bubba" Wallace Jr. will become just the fourth African-American -- and first since 2006 -- to get behind the wheel during a Cup race, starting this weekend when he fills in for an injured Aric Almirola at Pocono.

Wallace has been competing on the Xfinity and Truck series for the past five years. He has five career Truck wins, and seven top-10 finishes in 11 Xfinity races this season.

"I am ready to represent this organization, help the 43 team get the best results possible and prove that I belong at this level," Wallace said in a release.

SOURCE: MLive

Richard Pryor's thoughtful take on the N Word

After Bill Maher's use of the N-Word during his HBO show there has been much discussion about who should use the word or if anyone should use the word at all. I know my opinion on it, and comedic genius Richard Pryor pretty much summed it up in his classic live concert movie, Live on the Sunset Strip. This is something many young ones need to watch. Watch the clip below. WARNING! Clip contains adult language and the use of the N-word. George L. Cook III.

Jason Whitlock is wrong about Lebron James acting like a victim

Jason Whitlock recently said that Lebron James was playing the victim by discussing his house being vandalized. What Whitlock doesn't understand or remember is that whether you wear a sweatsuit or a business suit you are still a black person in America. Hear more of my thoughts/opinion on this in the video below. George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com.

Georgia Democrat aims to be nation’s first female African-American governor

Stacey Abrams, a Georgia politician who embodies what many progressives argue is the future of the Democratic Party, is set to began what she hopes is a history-making campaign Saturday, when she plans to officially announce her candidacy for governor of the Peach State.

The 43-year-old Democratic leader of the Georgia State House, who enters as the front-runner for her party’s nomination, is aiming to become the first African-American woman to be elected governor in U.S. history. Abrams is widely considered to be one of the most skilled and savvy political leaders in the state legislature and aims to replace term-limited Gov. Nathan Deal (R), who has served since 2011. But it won’t be easy: no Democrat has won statewide office in Georgia since 2006, and just 11 black women have ever been elected to statewide positions nationwide.

Abrams, a Yale-trained lawyer and business executive who writes romance novels on the side, has an army of supporters who are eager to prove that Democrats can win if the party puts its energy into growing its base among the increasingly diverse state population rather than fretting over white swing voters.

Read more: Georgia Democrat aims to be nation’s first female African-American governor

NAACP DENOUNCES RECENT WAVE OF VANDALISM AGAINST AFRICAN-AMERICANS

The NAACP issued the following statement after a noose was found Wednesday, May 31, at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. and after NBA star LeBron James’ house in Los Angeles, California was defaced with the N-word.

“We are deeply troubled and disturbed by the heinous acts of racism that occurred on Wednesday,” said Leon Russell, Board Chairman of the NAACP. “Leaving a noose – a symbol and weapon of hate – in front of the new National Museum of African American History and Culture and vandalizing the home of NBA superstar LeBron James, underscore the recent increase in hate crimes committed against African-Americans under the Trump Administration. The NAACP will not sit by idly while our people continue to be assailed by racist and cowardly actions. Furthermore, we call on the Trump Administration to stand up and speak out against these attacks.”

“Atrocious acts like those committed on Wednesday demonstrate the divisive animus that is pervasive throughout our country. The NAACP stands with the Smithsonian and with Mr. James and is wholly committed, now more than ever, to protecting equal rights of all persons and to eliminating race-based discrimination in the United States. We will not be deterred,” said Derrick Johnson, Vice Chairman of the NAACP.

Cory Booker Statement on Trump Withdrawal From Landmark Climate Agreement

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement:

“President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement is a vicious blow to American leadership in the world and to our future.

“When it comes to addressing an issue as urgent as climate change, President Trump is just plain wrong: it's not economy versus the environment or America versus the world. It's future versus past; progress and opportunity versus retreat and surrender. Leaving the Paris Agreement means the US will lag behind the rest of the world in creating the jobs of the future and it will set back our collective efforts to confront the dangers of climate change.

“We have to do everything we can to protect the environment for future generations. We must refuse to yield in the fight against the Trump Administration’s dangerous and backwards environmental policy. This moment must serve as a rallying cry for us to double down in this urgent fight.”

How to Get Certified As a Minority-Owned Business

In 2012, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that there were 8 million minority-owned businesses in the U.S. That’s a huge number of business owners looking for opportunities to achieve the American dream and make it as a successful entrepreneur.

If you own one of those businesses, becoming certified as a minority-owned business allows you to access certain government and private-sector programs that can help support your efforts. Here are three certifications/qualifications that can help minority business owners get support for their venture.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) DBE Certification

The DOT developed the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Certification to assist DBE companies that wish to compete for federally assisted highway, transit, airport and highway safety contracts. Any state or local government that receives DOT funding must maintain a DBE program that conforms to DOT standards.

Eligibility standards state that you must be in a socially and economically disadvantaged group and own 51% or more of a small business. The DOT uses the definition of “presumed groups” as defined in the next section. Other individuals may prove their disadvantaged status based on the DOT standards — these are handled on a case-by-case basis and is intended for groups that have disproportionately low incomes and high unemployment rates.

Contact your state Department of Transportation to learn how to apply for DBE Certification.

The 8(a) Business Development Program

The 8(a) Business Development Program was created by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help disadvantaged businesses compete in the marketplace. This nine-year program provides business assistance to help disadvantaged businesses succeed in government contracting and in competing for commercial business. The goal of the program is to “graduate” companies that will thrive in today’s competitive environment. Before you can apply for the program, however, you need to qualify as a socially disadvantaged individual.

Some minority groups automatically qualify as “presumed groups,” meaning they are presumed to be socially and economically disadvantaged and can apply to the program. These groups include African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Asian Pacific Americans and Subcontinent Asian Americans. In addition, Alaska Native Corporations, Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian Organizations and Community Development Corporations can also apply to the program.

Besides being in a presumed group, there are other SBA requirements that must be met by the owners of the business and the business itself. You can review the steps in the application process on the SBA website. Qualifying as a socially disadvantaged individual isn’t technically a “certification,” but the program is large enough that we wanted to include these standards in the article.

There are a number of benefits offered by the program. For instance, participants can receive sole-source contracts and can form joint ventures and teams to strengthen their position when bidding on contracts. In addition, the Mentor-Protégé Program pairs successful firms with companies new to the program. The mentors provide a range of assistance, including technical expertise, contracting help and more.

Getting a foot in the door at the SBA can help you understand the process for accessing government grants, contracts and can even open doors to understanding how to qualify for SBA loans — the gold standard when it comes to business financing for growth and expansion. Those loans can be some of the most difficult to qualify for, especially if you haven’t established a business credit score.

The National Minority Supplier Development Council’s MBE Certification

The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSC) is a trade group that supports certified minority business enterprises in obtaining new business opportunities and connects them to their network, which includes corporate members. Their goal is to help MBEs integrate into industry supply chains and to help corporate members meet the increasing call for supplier diversity. The council’s efforts match more than 12,000 MBEs to their impressive network of corporate members.

The council’s regional affiliates coordinate the MBE certification process, and you’ll want to start your application by contacting the affiliate closest to your company’s headquarters. You can visit NMSDC Central to learn more about applying for certification and completing the MBE Certification Application.

This is not a government-affiliated program like the 8(a) and DBE certification. There is an application fee for processing the application. The application process also includes a site visit and interview. The Council’s Certification Committee will review your application, and final approval is issued by the Council’s Board after a review of the committee’s recommendations.

In general, your business may apply for certification if the company is 51% owned and operated by minority individuals who are U.S. citizens. The minority ownership members must manage the company’s daily operations, and it must be a for-profit enterprise located in the U.S. or its trust territories.

[SOURCE: NAV.COM]

‘Underground’ Canceled By WGN America After 2 Seasons

WGN America is officially out of the high-end original scripted series business. As expected, the cable network today cancelled acclaimed drama Underground after two seasons. It follows the recent cancellation of fellow drama Outsiders as WGN America is changing its programming course, while its parent Tribune is preparing for its acquisition by Sinclair.

“As WGN America evolves and broadens the scope and scale of its portfolio of series, we recently announced that resources will be reallocated to a new strategy to increase our relevance within the rapidly changing television landscape. This move is designed to deliver additional value for our advertising and distribution partners and offer viewers more original content across our air,” Tribune Media President and CEO Peter Kern said. “Despite Underground being a terrific and important series, it no longer fits with our new direction and we have reached the difficult decision not to renew it for a third season. We are tremendously proud of this landmark series that captured the zeitgeist and made an impact on television in a way never before seen on the medium. We thank the incomparable creators Misha Green and Joe Pokaski and the great John Legend, along with the talented creative team and cast who brought the unsung American heroes of the Underground Railroad to life. We are grateful to the loyal fans of Underground and our partners at Sony Pictures Television. It is our hope that this remarkable show finds another home and continues its stories of courage, determination and freedom.”

[SOURCE: DEADLINE]

Noose found at National Museum of African American History & Culture

A section of the National Museum of African American History and Culture was temporarily shut down on Wednesday after a noose was found on the floor of the exhibition, the Smithsonian said.

U.S. Park Police arrived on the scene after the noose was discovered and removed it, according to Smithsonian Magazine. The exhibition was reopened within three hours.

"The noose has long represented a deplorable act of cowardice and depravity — a symbol of extreme violence for African Americans," museum director Lonnie Bunch wrote in an email to staff. "Today's incident is a painful reminder of the challenges that African Americans continue to face."

The incident marked the second time within the past week that a noose had been discovered on Smithsonian property. Another one was found on Friday hanging on a tree outside the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden just across the National Mall from the African American History Museum.

The latest noose was found on the floor of the section of the museum dedicated to segregation.

“The Smithsonian family stands together in condemning this act of hatred and intolerance, especially repugnant in a museum that affirms and celebrates the American values of inclusion and diversity,” Smithsonian Institution Secretary David Skorton said in email to Smithsonian employees.

“We will not be intimated. Cowardly acts like these will not, for one moment, prevent us from the vital work we do.”

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Officer who shot Tamir Rice fired but not for shooting Tamir

Timothy Loehmann, the Cleveland police officer who fatally shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice in 2014, was fired Tuesday -- not for the shooting, but because investigators found he wasn't truthful about his employment history when he applied for the job, officials said.

The officer who was with Loehmann, Frank Garmback, will be suspended for 10 days because he violated tactical rules relating to how he drove to the scene that day, the city's public safety director and the police chief said.

An Ohio grand jury declined to criminally charge the officers in 2015.

None of the rule violations announced by Public Safety Director Michael McGrath and Chief Calvin Williams directly related to Loehmann shooting Rice outside a recreation center as the boy held a toy gun on November 22, 2014.

"After over two years of investigation by our agency, the county prosecutor's office (and) the sheriff's department, I think we've come to what we consider a fair conclusion to this process," Williams said. Rice's mother called the actions against Loehmann and Garmback "deeply disappointing."

"I am relieved Loehmann has been fired because he should never have been a police officer in the first place -- but he should have been fired for shooting my son in less than one second, not just for lying on his application," a statement from Samaria Rice read.

"And Garmback should be fired, too, for his role in pulling up too close to Tamir," Samaria Rice said. "As we continue to grieve for Tamir, I hope this is a call for all of us to build stronger communities together."

[SOURCE: CNN]