Thursday, July 30
Ex-Prosecutor: Texas Officer ‘Abused His Power’ in Bland Traffic Stop
Sandra Bland’s somber funeral at DuPage African Methodist Episcopal Church attracted hundreds of supporters, who were shocked and dismayed that her death stemmed from a simple traffic stop.
LeBron James’ Company Scores Warner Bros. TV, Movie Deal
LeBron James is setting his sights beyond the basketball court. The NBA star and his company, SpringHill Entertainment, have signed a content creation deal with Warner Bros. that includes potential projects in film, television and other digital properties.
Lunch Bus Serves Record Number of Free Meals to Chicago Area Children
During summer break, Jennifer Sanders regularly catches up with reading at the West Englewood Library on the city’s South Side. But the 16-year-old teen doesn’t have to worry about what she will eat during her daylong visits. That’s because the Harlan High School student is one of about 1,000 youth receiving free meals this summer from the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s “Lunch Bus.”
Chill Out with Live Entertainment, Food, and Family Fun at Brookfield Zoo’s Summer Nights
Brookfield Zoo’s summertime event, Summer Nights, sponsored by Meijer and the Illinois Farm Bureau, is back and it’s bigger and better than ever! The evening celebration will feature cool jams and fun activities for the whole family until 9:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through August 8.
Robbins Native Nichelle Nichols Credited with Recruiting Women, Minorities to Space Program
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) space mission last week to the international space station was diverse: three crew members represented the U.S., Russia and Japan.
Bobby Brown 'Completely Numb' After Death of Daughter
R&B singer Bobby Brown said Monday that his daughter, Bobbi Kristina Brown, was "an angel" and that the family must find a way to honor her memory.
Do Not Argue with Cops During Traffic Stops!
What should you do when a cop pulls you over during a traffic stop? Drivers should simply comply with the officer’s orders, said several law enforcement experts.
Employees Rally to Support Roseland Community Hospital
Wendy Jones remembers her mother suddenly suffering a heart attack while in the emergency room of Roseland Community Hospital (RCH) on Chicago’s far South Side. “The hospital staff acted quickly and saved her life,” said Jones on Friday outside the medical facility open at 45 W. 111th St. Jones said the encounter is the main reason she supports the 85-year-old medical facility. Outside the hospital, Jones joined about 150 other demonstrators, many with signs proclaiming “Roseland Matters” and “Black Lives Matter.”
Wednesday, July 29
More Chicago Metra Riders Glued to Electronics
DePaul University research finds dependence on devices may be boosting ridership
Metra commuters in Chicago are increasingly doing things that would be illegal if they were driving — texting, reading email, shopping online or watching a movie — according to research from DePaul University’s Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development. More commuters in the Chicago area are opting to ride the train, in part because of this dependence on electronic devices, researchers found.
Chicago Aldermen Debate Controversial ‘Chiraq’ Movie Title
Filmmaker Spike Lee won’t be getting a $3 million tax break for his new movie, “Chiraq,” an upcoming feature film that was filmed in Chicago.
Bettie McMullen 4/2/1919 -7/21/2015
(grandmother to Denise McMullen, CEO of Creative Tea Cafe' & McMullen Industries Development & Rehab)
Thursday, July 23
It's the men's turn
New York Fashion Week has always celebrated the glamour of women's fashion, but has relegated menswear to a supporting role. This week, building on a growing public appetite for menswear, the industry is putting on the first stand-alone men's fashion week in New York in nearly two decades (a brief attempt fizzled in the late '90s.)
Flossmoor Metra Station Gets $4 Mil. Facelift
The busy Flossmoor, Ill. Metra station got a $4 million facelift, one of several renovations in the last couple of years the rail line has initiated.
Abena Joan Brown, Black Theater Pioneer, Touched Everyone She Knew
(Opinion) When my dad died, my family scrabbled to find a place to hold his memorial in Chicago. He was an artist reared on the South Side but spent the last two decades of his life operating a gallery in Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, July 22
Preckwinkle Gets Sales Tax Increase: Critics Fear Hike Will Hurt Businesses
Yasmin Curtis has a thriving sports bar on the city’s South Side. The 35-year-old woman, who opened the Bronzeville Sports Bar and Grill nearly five years ago, now has eight employees.
Tensions Rise During Neighborhood Meeting on Medical Marijuana Dispensary
“We don’t want it!” “We don’t it!” We don’t want it!” That is what nearly 100 members of the Eight Ward Accountability Coalition (EWAC), a neighborhood organization, angrily chanted during a recent community meeting in protest of a proposed opening of a medical marijuana dispensary in Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood.
Jackson Criticizes Democratic Committee for Backing Duckworth Over Zopp in Senate Race
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. criticized the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for endorsing U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth instead of Andrea Zopp in the U.S. Senate race in Illinois.
Long-time South Side Barber Honored for Activism, Mentoring
When Stacy Harris was a teen on Chicago’s South Side, he dealt drugs and brawled a lot. Now, Harris, 44, owns a small car dealership in northwest Indiana. He credits a 75-year-old South Shore barber with helping him turn his life around: El-Hajj Elshabazz.
Thursday, July 16
Anti-Fur Protest Hits Fashion Shows in Paris
Police officers help a demonstrator to his feet after he fainted during a clash with the police in Paris, France, Wednesday, July 8, 2015.
Abena Joan Brown, Black Theater Pioneer, Dies After Short Illness
Abena Joan Brown, founder of the ETA Creative Arts Theater on Chicago’s South Side, died Sunday after a short illness.
Wednesday, July 15
Group Encourages Taste of Chicago Visitors to Eat Healthy
Just two years ago, Shannon Williams ate lobster and cheesecake at the Taste of Chicago festival in Grant Park. But on Sunday, she ate corn, noodles and water melon. That’s because the 37-year-old resident of Chicago’s Auburn Gresham neighborhood participated in the Humana Healthier Choices Rewards Program.
Robbins Historian Promotes Village's Rich History to Inspire Youth
The first black-owned airport in the nation. Black leadership for nearly a century. And former residents with big names, like Dwyane Wade and Keke Palmer. Those are just a few of the examples that Tyrone Haymore uses to argue that Robbins, Ill. is the most historical black community in the United States.
Rev. Jeremiah Wright's Daughter Receives Two-Year Prison Sentence
After being found guilty of money laundering last year, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's daughter, Jeri Wright, received a two-year prison sentence last Thursday. She will also have to pay $31,821 in restitution and be under supervision for three years after her prison release.
DuSable Museum Festival Attracts Artists, Food Vendors, ‘Steppers’
Denise Sherman had never been to the annual Arts and Crafts Festival at the DuSable Museum of African American History. But on Saturday, the 55-year-old woman decided to visit the 41st annual event because she loves to dance.
Divvy Bike Memberships Offered at $5 for Low Income Residents
The city of Chicago is offering low income residents Divvy Bike annual memberships for $5 instead of the normal rate of $75.
Outreach Center at Governor State University Helps Minorities Launch Businesses
Minorities seeking help to launch new businesses can get free assistance from an outreach center at Governors State University in University Park, Ill., the head of the center said.
Sen. Mattie Hunter: No one is 'exempt' from violence that killed nephews
Retired Chicago Public Schools teacher, Sharon Byron, has attended so many funerals of former students, she has lost count. On Saturday, Byron added one more to her list: the funeral of Willie Lee Hunter, 31, who was killed while with his brother, John Lee Hunter, 25, who was also killed. The siblings, memorialized in white caskets, had a joint service at Gatling’s Chapel, 10133 Halsted St.
Willie Wilson's Campaign for Democratic Presidential Nomination Gets Little Coverage
The National Urban League’s presidential candidate plenary appears to be star-studded. Jeb Bush, Dr. Benjamin Carson, Hillary Clinton and Martin O’Malley have all confirmed to appear at the July 31st event in Florida, according to the League’s website.
Wednesday, July 8
New Sports Uniforms Level the Playing Field for Muslim Girls
Girls in stylish athletic wear walk the runway as the sounds of Taylor Swift and Katy Perry blare from speakers. The crowd claps and cheers as the young models strike poses with basketballs, lacrosse sticks and boxing gloves. Finally, the big reveal: the Lady Warriors community traveling basketball team takes the stage in their cardinal red uniforms.
Misty Copeland Named First Black Female Principal at American Ballet Theatre
Misty Copeland, the Missouri-born ballerina who's become a forceful voice for diversity in ballet and achieved a celebrity that far transcends that rarified world, was named principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre on Tuesday — the first African-American woman to reach that status in the company's 75-year history.
Solid Hiring Expected for June as U.S. Job Market Nears Normal
U.S. employers likely hired at another strong pace in June, a sign that the job market is nearing full health and giving the Federal Reserve reason to raise interest rates as early as September.
U.S. Dept. of Education Announces Set of Rights to Help Parents Seek High-Quality Education for Children
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan last month released a set of rights that outlines what families should be able to expect for their children's education.
Seven-Year-Old, Victim of Holiday Weekend Gun Violence
Seven-year old Amari Brown, who resided on the 500 block of North Drake, was among those who were shot and killed over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Community Study Shows Access to Health Care and Rising Obesity Rates as Top Concerns
A six-week study, titled, Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), coordinated by Loyola University Health Systems (LUHS) revealed access to health care services and the increasing rate of obesity among top health care issues.
Illinois State Commission on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform Releases Preliminary Report
The Illinois State Commission on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform released a preliminary report that frames its process and progress on lowering the Illinois prison population by 25% by 2025.
Illinois Begins Fiscal Year 2016 without a Budget
With the rejection last week of the $2.3 billion temporary budget proposed by Democrats in the Illinois Legislature as a way to avoid a government shutdown, lawmakers left Springfield for the Fourth of July weekend without an approved budget in place, resulting in what’s being referred to as a “partial” government shutdown. The State is now operating without a 2016 budget, leaving critical social and other services at risk of being unfunded and state workers wondering about their pay checks.
Activists sue three suburbs to keep guns out of city
On the heels of another bloody holiday weekend, an anti-violence group filed a lawsuit Tuesday against three suburban communities to keep guns out of Chicago.
Bronzeville Summer Nights and Art District Tours
Get out and enjoy Bronzeville’s rich arts scene by taking part in the new Bronzeville Art District-Bronzeville Summer Nights collaboration, a cultural event that launched earlier this month.
CPS Summer Bridge Program Thrives at Fiske Elementary School
Chicago Public School’s (CPS) Summer Bridge program this year is housed at Fiske Elementary School, 6020 S. Langley Ave.
CPS to Cut 1,400 Staff Positions
Following $634 Million Pension Payment
Following interim CEO of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), Jesse Ruiz’s statement last Wednesday announcing that CPS will make $200 million in cuts and layoff 1,400 CPS staffers, a result of the school district’s difficulty making a $634 million pension payment and its $1.1 billion budget deficit, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel laid out a plan he says Springfield should follow to create a more equitable funding formula for Illinois school districts.
3rd District CAPS Meeting Aimed at Strengthening Partnership with Community
Chatham, South Shore and Woodlawn neighborhood residents in Chicago, recently met with high ranking 3rd Dist. Chicago Police Department (CPD) officers during the 3rd District Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) All Beats Beat Meeting at the South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 South Shore Dr.
Wednesday, July 1
Chicago Police Sting Nets 42 People in North Lawndale Heroine Bust
An investigation led by Chicago Police officers and agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration assigned to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (“HIDTA”) Task Force, resulted in federal charges against 16 defendants and state charges against 26 others, who police and federal agents began arresting early last Wednesday morning.
Savvy Storage Advice for Renters
Just because you don’t own your home or have a permanent abode, does not mean you can’t be neat and organized in the place you currently hang your hat.
A New Standard Debuts
Chicago Fashion Week
Chicago entrepreneur John Leydon debuted a new venture to celebrate the very best of Chicago Fashion.
Sears, Wal-Mart, Amazon Drop the Confederate Flag
Major retailers are halting sales of the Confederate flag and related merchandise after the shooting deaths of nine black church members in South Carolina refueled the debate over the flag's meaning.
2015 Global Peace Index
The Global Peace Index measures the state of peace in 162 countries according to 23 indicators that gauge the absence of violence or the fear of violence. It is produced annually by the Institute for Economics and Peace.
Bobbi Kristina Brown moved to hospice care
Bobbi Kristina Brown has been moved to hospice care after months in the hospital. In a statement Wednesday, her aunt Pat Houston said Whitney Houston's daughter's condition has worsened.
U.S. Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Marriage Equality
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) community celebrated a victory decades in the making over the weekend following, the U.S. Supreme Court voting 5-4 in favor of same sex couples’ right to marry nationwide.
Flossmoor Metra Station Renovations Completed
Renovation of the Flossmoor Metra Station on Metra’s Electric District Line is complete. Metra and Flossmoor officials held a completion ceremony for the newly reconstructed, $4 million platform and related facilities on June 26.
Carver Teen Center Opens in Altgeld
A facility aimed at providing programming for teens and their families, opened in Chicago’s Altgeld community this past weekend.
Ill. Legislative Black Caucus Urges Constituents to Fight Rauner’s Proposed Cuts
Members of the Ill. Legislative Black Caucus fanned out across Chicago and the suburbs last week for “Stop the Cuts” rallies, urging constituents to fight against Ill. Gov. Bruce Rauner’s FY2016 proposed budget cuts to social service and other programs.
AACM to Hold Interactive Healing Concerts in Bronzville
In an effort to help restore peace throughout Chicago’s violence-ridden neighborhoods, members of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) will present interactive, after-school concerts to begin in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood next month.
ComEd Launches Summer Internship Program Providing Job Training to More than 250 Students
This summer, ComEd is hiring more than 250 students through its annual summer internship program providing local teens with hands-on job training and career experience. ComEd is committed to engaging its future workforce and partners with a number of schools and nonprofit organizations to offer local students valuable work experience through internships, apprenticeships and other educational programs.
CPS Extends Safe Passage Program to 140 New Schools
The Chicago Board of Education (CBOE) approved the expansion of its student safety initiative, Safe Passage, to a record high 140 schools beginning this fall.
Preckwinkle Proposes 1 Percent Sales Tax as County Pension Crisis Looms
Cook County, Ill., like the state of Illinois, is facing serious financial challenges. Cook County Board President, Toni Preckwinkle, on Tuesday released the preliminary forecast for the County's Fiscal 2016 budget, announcing a projected operating shortfall of $198.75 million, driven by increasing labor costs, rising legacy debt service, increased costs of the Presidential election cycle, and reductions in court filing revenues.