No charges against police officer that shot and killed Keith Lamont Scott

Officer Brentley Vinson

Officer Brentley Vinson, the officer who fatally shot Keith Lamont Scott won't face charges, a prosecutor said Wednesday, closing a two-month investigation into the killing that led to heated protests and divided the city of Charlotte.

Mecklenburg County District Attorney Andrew Murray said he didn't reach the decision alone; a total of 15 prosecutors unanimously agreed that Charlotte-Mecklenburg police Officer Brentley Vinson was justified in shooting Scott on September 20 in an apartment complex parking lot.

In his hour long announcement, Murray rejected a series of "erroneous claims" made shortly after the shooting. He said those narratives fueled widespread misconceptions about what actually happened.

Among them:

-- Scott's relatives said he didn't have a gun, but "all the credible evidence" led to the conclusion that Scott was armed, Murray said. He said Scott's DNA was on the grip of a gun found at the scene.

Murray also said at least three officers reported seeing Scott holding a gun before he was shot, though dashcam video did not show that detail.

Read more: Keith Lamont Scott killing: No charges against officer, DA says

Wyatt Worthington II becomes first African American to win PGA Tournament Series event

Wyatt Worthington II doesn’t just want to make birdies, he wants to make history.

Worthington did both Tuesday, shooting another 2-under 70 to win Event No. 1 of the PGA Tournament Series by two shots at PGA Golf Club.

The 29-year-old Worthington is believed to be the first African American to win a PGA Tournament Series event. Earlier this year, he became the second African American club professional to qualify for the PGA Championship.

“It’s a great moment in my life,” Worthington said. “This is one of the goals I wanted to achieve, and I’m fortunate I got it on the first try (this year).”

Worthington was 3-under through 12 holes on the Wanamaker Course before his only blemish, a bogey on the par-5 13th. He closed with five pars to win by two shots over four players.

Worthington, who teaches in the winter at famed Seminole Golf Club and works at the Golf Depot at Central Park in Gahanna, Ohio, earned $5,000 for the victory.

“I didn’t putt as well as yesterday, but I focused on giving myself as many opportunities as I could,” Worthington said. “It was a grind coming in, but I’m proud of how I played under pressure.”

Nick Beddow of Shirley, N.Y. shot the low round of the tournament, a 5-under 67, to share second place with Zac Oakley (71) of Palm City, Fla., Rod Perry (70) of Port Orange, Fla., and Jeff Sorenson (70) of Blaine, Minn. Beddow had a 5-under 31 on the front nine.

“I dunked a bunker shot on No. 1 (for birdie) and that got me some momentum,” said Beddow, who closed the front nine with eagle-birdie-birdie. “Unfortunately, I three-putted the last hole for a bogey.”

The conditions weren’t as difficult as Monday’s first round, when nobody in the 69-player field broke 70.

The last four months have been somewhat of a blur for Worthington, who gained national attention when he qualified for the PGA Championship at Baltusrol by finishing fifth in the PGA Professional Championship. Tom Woodard in 1991 was the first African American club professional to qualify for the PGA Championship.

“It’s definitely been a whirlwind,” Worthington said. “I didn’t think little ol’ me from Reynoldsburg, Ohio would be playing in a PGA Championship and have that type of impact on the culture of the industry.
“From here on out, my only goal is to affect others with positive energy and try to lead my example.”

The PGA Tournament Series, which consists of six events, is presented by Golf Advisor. Event No. 2 is Thursday and Friday.

SOURCE: PGA.COM

Congressional Black Caucus responds to Trump's Attorney General pick of Jeff Sessions

CBC Chairman G.K Butterfield

The Congressional Black Caucus chairman G. K. Butterfield has released the following statement on Donald Trump's pick of Senator Jeff Sessions for Attorney General:

“We face an alarming choice in the selection of Senator Jeff Sessions to serve as the chief law enforcer for the United States of America. Senator Sessions’ civil rights record is appalling and should disqualify him from Senate confirmation. Senator Sessions has continuously obstructed the progress that we’ve made since the historic Civil Rights legislation of the 1960s. Senator Sessions has blocked legislative efforts to ensure racial equality in minority communities, including his opposition to President Obama’s judicial nominations and full enforcement of the Voting Rights Act. Having previously been denied a nomination by members of the U.S. Senate over concerns about his views of African Americans, Senator Jeff Sessions will very likely face an uphill battle in being confirmed as the next Attorney General of the United States. The Attorney General must run the Department of Justice with a total commitment to the rule of law and must guarantee minority citizens their fundamental constitutional rights. The Congressional Black Caucus stands ready to oppose Senator Sessions’ confirmation as we adamantly believe his appointment will set us back in the advancement of civil rights and race relations across the country.” - CBC Chairman G. K. Butterfield

Donald Trump meets with David Clarke to discuss cabinet position

By George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.Com

Donald Trump is determined to find self hating African Americans to serve in his cabinet. The President-Elect met with the most miserable man in law enforcement, Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke to discuss the possibility of Clarke running the Department of Homeland Security.

Clarke is not totally unqualified as he obviously has a law enforcement background, currently commands 250 officers, and is sheriff of an entire county. By comparison The Department of Homeland Security has 240,000 employees, who span immigration enforcement, the U.S. Secret Service, the TSA and other functions. In Trump world adding over 239,750 more employees and responsibility for the entire USA shouldn't be much of a big jump.

Clarke would fit in with Trump's law and order mantra and he definitely would be no friend to the Black Lives Matter movement or to black people in general. So why wouldn't Trump consider him for the DHS top spot?

Newark Pop Warner team raising money to go play in championship game

The Newark Brick City Lions Football Team put has won the District and Eastern Region Championship titles. Those victories earned them a spot at the Pop Warner National Championship Super Bowl in Orlando, Florida.

But money does not come with that invitation and it will cost the team $35,000 to get to Florida and these kids need our help.

The team is fundraising, working concession stands and selling donuts to raise the $35,000 but they could still us some help. as of this post the team is just $10,000 short og f their goal

You can give at the teams gofundme page here: Brick City Lions