Princeton professor named country's next poet laureate

Tracy K. Smith has a long list of accomplishments, from publishing three books of poetry to winning the Pulitzer Prize in 2012, and she just added one more prestigious achievement.

The Library of Congress named Smith its 2017-18 Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry, an honor she shares with only 21 others.

"I am profoundly honored," sad Smith, a creative writing professor at Princeton University. "As someone who has been sustained by poems and poets, I understand the powerful and necessary role poetry can play in sustaining a rich inner life and fostering a mindful, empathic and resourceful culture."

"I am eager to share the good news of poetry with readers and future readers across this marvelously diverse country," she said.

Smith is the author of the poetry books "Life on Mars"; "Duende"; and "The Body's Question"; all of which have won awards. Her memoir, "Ordinary Light", was a finalist for the 2015 National Book Award in nonfiction and recognized as a notable book by The New York Times and the Washington Post.

Smith was appointed by Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden on Wednesday, and is succeeding Juan Felipe Herrera.

Hayden called Smith a "poet of searching," and said she has a way with her poems.

"Her work travels the world and takes on its voices; brings history and memory to life; calls on the power of literature as well as science, religion and pop culture," Hayden said.

[SOURCE: NJ.COM]

NFL commissioner denies that Colin Kaepernik is being blackballed

If you believe in zombies, Big Foot, the Loch Ness Monster, and that Biggie, Tupac, and Elvis are all still alive then you might believe NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell about Colin Kaepernick. Goodell says that Colin Kaepernick refusal to stand during the national anthem last year has nothing to do with him remaining unsigned.

During a Rams fan event at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Goodell addressed the issue and insisted it’s not because the star once refused to stand for the national anthem.

Goodell tried to make the point that teams "all want to get better," so they'll all be looking to sign the best player available.

"If they see an opportunity to get better as a football team, they're going to do it," Goodell said, via ESPN.com. "They're going to do whatever it takes to make their football team better. So, those are football decisions. They're made all the time. I believe that if a football team feels that Colin Kaepernick, or any other player, is going to improve that team, they're going to do it."

"Those are decisions that the 32 clubs are going to have to make individually," Goodell said of signing players. "They're going to give whatever player they think can help them win that opportunity. And I think that's what's great about the NFL is that we're a meritocracy, and you earn your opportunities and you get to keep your opportunities on the way you perform, ultimately. That's what the NFL is about. I think that's why fans love the game. People go out and they earn those opportunities, and it's a competitive league, which is great for us."

Statement from Philando Castile's mother on jury's verdict

Jeronimo Yanez, the Minnesota police officer who fatally shot Philando Castile during a traffic stop last year, was found not guilty of second-degree manslaughter Friday. He also was acquitted of two counts of intentional discharge of firearm that endangers safety. Philando Castile's mother, Valerie Castile does not mince words when discussing the non-guilty verdict of her son's killer when making statement to the press. Watch that statement below:

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.