N.J. Congressman Donald Payne (NJ 10th District) released the following statement on marijuana legislation in the state:
Like many other states, New Jersey has suffered from disproportionate impacts of drug enforcement in minority communities, and this legislation will help rectify iniquities of the past. New Jersey is ready to move forward, and it’s time for the state’s leaders to get behind it.
— Rep. Donald Payne Jr (@RepDonaldPayne) March 20, 2019
By George L. Cook III African American Reports.
'Us', Jordan Peele's followup up to his 2017 hit 'Get Out' exceeded all expectations by grossing an estimated $70 million plus in its opening weekend.
Early projections varied from $40 to $60 million. The $70 million weekend was an outstanding launch for the film which had a budget of $20 million.
'Us’ now has the third highest grossing horror film weekend behind only "It" which opened with $123.4 million and "Halloween (2018)" which launched with 76.2 million.
'Us’ will pass the $100 mark and should have no problem reaching and $150 million mark. The questions are with the movie's polarizing ending does it gross more than the $176 million 'Get Out' made or does it pass $200 million domestically because of repeated viewings by those trying to decipher the ending?
'Us’ was by written, produced, and directed by Jordan Peele.
The movie stars Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseph, and Evan Alex .
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) is leading the 2020 Democratic field in endorsements from his fellow congressional lawmakers.
Booker has already locked up the public support of 12 lawmakers, including every member of his home state’s Democratic delegation.
Fellow New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez (D) was an early backer, calling Booker a “great friend” who would “make an even greater president” in his endorsement. The two have served together since 2013.
Other contenders are also pulling in early support from their home states. But Booker's tally is more than double the five congressional endorsements secured so far by Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), who is in second.
While the 2020 primary contest is still in its early stages, the coveted endorsements can give candidates a boost, helping them bolster their credibility and build momentum in what is expected to be a crowded primary field.
Former Vice President Joe Biden’s aides are debating whether he should launch a bid for the White House with a pledge to make Democrat Stacey Abrams his running mate.
AXIOS reported Thursday that his advisers are deeply divided over the idea, with some hoping that it could balance his appeal to Democrats who demand a more diverse ticket and others worried it would be perceived as a gimmick.
The private sit-down between Abrams and Biden earlier this month has only fed the speculation, and though details about the meeting have been scant, Abrams’ insiders say Biden made no formal request about running on the same ticket.
There’s another catch: Abrams still hasn’t figured out her next step, whether it be a run for U.S. Senate, a bid for governor or prepping her own presidential bid. And her aides acknowledge that while Biden’s team might be pondering a joint ticket, she has yet to firm up her own plans.
“You have to be intentional, but you also have to be flexible,” Abrams said this week at Vanderbilt University. “I never thought I’d be mentioned for Senate or that my name would be bandied about for president - yet.”
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and current Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid settled their collusion grievances against the NFL, but according to a Wall Street Journal report, they will receive less than $10 million total.
Kaepernick filed a grievance in October 2017 under the collective bargaining agreement, alleging collusion against signing him to an NFL contract. He had led the movement of players kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial inequality and police brutality. While with the Niners, Reid was the first player to join Kaepernick in kneeling.
According to the Wall Street Journal report, which cited people briefed on the deal, it's not clear how the money will be split and how much the players will net after legal fees. To put Kaepernick's split of the $10 million in perspective, his base salary in 2016 alone was nearly $12 million.
The filing on the grievances, which demanded an arbitration hearing on the matter, said the NFL and its owners "have colluded to deprive Mr. Kaepernick of employment rights in retaliation for Mr. Kaepernick's leadership and advocacy for equality and social justice and his bringing awareness to peculiar institutions still undermining racial equality in the United States."
Read more at ESPN
