MARIA TAYLOR NAMED HOST OF FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA

Maria Taylor is the new host of Football Night in America, the most-watched studio show in sports, NBC Sports announced today. Football Night is NBC Sports’ flagship studio show, preceding Sunday Night Football — primetime television’s No. 1 show for an unprecedented 11 consecutive years — each week during the NFL season. Taylor debuted on the program as a co-host in 2021.

NBC Sports Executive Producer Sam Flood: “Maria is the perfect choice to carry the legacy forward of anchoring the most-watched studio show in sports.”

In the last 12 months, Taylor – who was named one of 2021’s “Most Powerful Women in Sports” by Adweek – has hosted many of the most-watched events and programs in sports. Following her move to NBC Sports in July 2021, she hosted the Tokyo Olympics, Super Bowl LVI Pregame Show, and Beijing Olympics and Paralympics. Just prior to joining NBC Sports, she also hosted the primetime network broadcast of the NFL Draft and the NBA Finals.

In addition to her hosting roles, Taylor is executive producing and currently in production on an eight-part documentary series on the history of the Black quarterback in the NFL that will stream on Peacock.

Jason Frierson sworn in as US Attorney for the District of Nevada

Jason M. Frierson was sworn in today as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada. Chief U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du administered the oath of office at the Lloyd D. George U.S. Courthouse, attended by judicial officers, agency partners, and Mr. Frierson’s family, friends, and colleagues.

Mr. Frierson is the first African American to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada. He was nominated by President Joseph R. Biden on November 15, 2021, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on April 27, 2022.

“I am humbled and honored for the opportunity to serve as our district’s U.S. Attorney,” said Mr. Frierson. “I’m also grateful for my family’s support throughout the nomination and confirmation process. Throughout my career, keeping our communities safe has been a top priority. I look forward to fulfilling the Department of Justice’s mission alongside our dedicated, talented Assistant U.S. Attorneys, staff professionals, and law enforcement and community partners. We share a steadfast commitment to upholding the rule of law, preventing violent crime in our neighborhoods, protecting the civil rights of citizens, and seeking justice for victims.”

As the District of Nevada’s chief federal law enforcement officer, Mr. Frierson will lead a team of over 100 prosecutors and staff professionals with offices located in Las Vegas and Reno.

Prior to his appointment as U.S. Attorney, Mr. Frierson most recently served as both the Speaker of the Nevada State Assembly and an Assistant Public Defender in the Clark County Public Defender’s Office. From 2012 to 2014 and from 2017 to 2019, he served as a Chief Deputy District Attorney in the Clark County District Attorney’s Office. Mr. Frierson was a partner at Surratt Law Practice in Las Vegas from 2014 to 2017.

Mr. Frierson earned his J.D. from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, William S. Boyd School of Law in 2001, and his B.S. from the University of Nevada, Reno in 1996. After graduating from law school, Mr. Frierson served as a law clerk for Justice Myron E. Leavitt on the Supreme Court of Nevada from 2001 to 2002.

Judge says he’ll block Gov. Ron DeSantis’ redistricting plan that disenfranchises Black voters

Rep. Al Lawson

A congressional map approved by Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and drawn by his staff is unconstitutional because it breaks up a district where Black voters can choose their representatives, a state judge said Wednesday.

Leon County Circuit Judge Layne Smith said he would issue a formal order Thursday or Friday to keep the maps from taking effect in November’s election. He made it clear he would rule in favor of voting rights groups challenging the maps.

The challenge focuses on a north Florida district now held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Al Lawson. The district runs from Jacksonville west more than 200 miles (322 kilometers) to Gadsden County and nearly half of its population is Black.

Smith said that while the DeSantis map is more compact, the issue of allowing Black voters to choose their representatives is more important.

“The district that has since been enacted and signed into law by the governor does d

isperse 367,000 African American votes between four different districts,” Smith said in a video call with both sides. “The African American population is nowhere near a plurality or a majority.”

Smith said the order will likely replace the DeSantis map with one of two that the Legislature included in a bill and sent to DeSantis in March. The governor vetoed the bill and later called the Legislature back into special session. The Republican-dominated House and Senate chose not to draw a new map, and instead passed the DeSantis map.

“The judge recognizes that this map is unlawful and diminishes African Americans’ ability to elect representatives of their choice,” Lawson said in a statement emailed to news outlets. “DeSantis is wrong for enacting this Republican-leaning map that is in clear violation of the U.S. and state constitutions.”

[SOURCE: AP NEWS]

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron Announces Run for Governor in 2023

Kentucky attorney general Daniel Cameron said he will run for governor in his state in a video announcement released on Wednesday.

Cameron, a Republican and the first black attorney general elected in Kentucky, filed paperwork to enter the 2023 gubernatorial race earlier on Wednesday morning.

Watch his video below:

I’m proud to announce that I am running for Governor of Kentucky to deliver Bold Conservative Leadership to the Commonwealth. Join us!https://t.co/67s5STj0Jy pic.twitter.com/pdMRIWfbsQ

— Daniel Cameron (@DanielCameronAG) May 11, 2022

NAACP Statement on President Biden's Plan to Lower Internet Costs

The NAACP released the following statement on President Biden's Plan to Lower Internet Costs:

"It's time to democratize the internet. The lack of internet access in America has hit Black and brown communities hard. President Biden's announcement today to provide free Internet to nearly 50 million households is a substantial stride toward building an inclusive economy. Internet access is a necessity in today's world. The pandemic has shined a spotlight on what we already knew to be true: the internet is essential as millions work and study from home, but it has not been afforded to all. Historic underinvestment in infrastructure in Black communities, intentional and as a result of neglect, has left Black communities behind. As we have shifted to a digital economy, this disparity has deepened gaps in achievement and success. The President's plan is a historic investment and proof that the Biden-Harris Administration understands this will be a big deal for families across America and communities of color."