Wednesday, November 25
Dancer Misty Copeland Writing Health-and-Fitness Book
Dancer Misty Copeland is working on a health-and-fitness book. Grand Central Life & Style, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, announced Thursday that Copeland’s “Ballerina Body” is scheduled for 2017. Copeland, the first African-American woman to become the American Ballet Theatre’s principal dancer, is a member of President Barack Obama’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition.
Metra to Host Coat and Toy Drives
Coat drive November 30 to December 2; Toy drive December 9
The weather is changing and it’s getting cold and blustery here in Chicago. It’s time to pull out the heavy winter jackets. And of course the holidays are right upon us…staring us in the face. That means it’s time to shop for toys and gifts for the little ones.
South Suburban Girl Gets Cast in 'Best Christmas Pageant Ever!'
When Telah Amauri Anderson was just 2 years-old, she pointed to her family’s television and proclaimed: “that’s what I want to do.” So, the Matteson, Ill., girl’s mother enrolled her in a performing arts school. “She was always dancing all over the place,” Charla Anderson recalled about her daughter. “She would repeat lines from TV. We knew we had to get her into something.”
Chicago Children’s Choir Celebrates Holiday Season throughout City
Nothing puts us in the holiday spirit like good ‘ole holiday music. It’s just something about those classic favorites; White Christmas, Let it Snow, and of course Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. These songs cheer us up. They are comforting. They make us feel warm and fuzzy. And more than likely this holiday season, you’re going to hear them playing somewhere.
Historical Strand Hotel Opens as Apartment Complex
Regina Clippard immediately panics when she gets off of the bus and then walks two blocks in the dark every night to her apartment, after she leaves her job as a home healthcare worker. The single 50-year-old woman says at least two people were shot in the last year near her home in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood.
Chicago Cop Charged with Fatally Shooting African American Teen 16 Times
A white Chicago Police Officer was charged Tuesday with murdering a 17-year-old black youth – believed to be the first on-duty city officer charged with murder in more than three decades.
Chevrolet Volt wins 'Green Car of the Year' at LA Auto Show
LOS ANGELES (AP) — An auto industry magazine has named the 2016 Chevrolet Volt its "Green Car of the Year."
Hotel Visits, Bullets, Lawsuits to Cost More in Cook County
Hotel visits, bullets and lawsuits will all cost more in Cook County next year. The increases are a result of tax and fee hikes Cook County Commissioners approved with a 12-5 vote last week for Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s $4.5 billion budget in the 2016 fiscal year. “This is not an easy budget,” said Preckwinkle in a news conference after the meeting. “But it is a responsible budget that tackles our needs head-on, without dodging tough decisions or kicking the can down the road.”
Firm Withdraws Plans to Open Marijuana Dispensary in Chatham Neighborhood
For the last few months, Dedra Delaney has attended meeting after meeting trying to stop a planned marijuana dispensary from opening at 1111 E. 87th St. in Chicago. Last Friday, Delaney and two busloads of Chatham neighborhood residents got what they wanted. A city staffer at the Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) meeting announced that Haborside Illinois Grown Medicine, LLC (IGM) withdrew its petition for the planned dispensary.
Friday, November 20
Turkey Chop Gourmet Grill to Give Extra Helping of Community Love for Thanksgiving
West Humboldt Park restaurant to give away 250 turkeys and serve holiday dinner to 1,000-plus in need
The week of Thanksgiving, West Humboldt Park’s Turkey Chop Gourmet Grill will serve an extra helping of community love by giving away 250 turkeys Monday at noon, then serving free Thanksgiving dinner Thursday to 1,000-plus people identified as in need or homeless.
Nationwide Crackdown against Abusive Debt Collectors Initiated
Washington, D.C. — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan last week joined with the Federal Trade Commission and other law enforcement authorities around the country to announce the first coordinated federal-state enforcement initiative targeting deceptive and abusive debt collection practices.
Ex-Mcdonald's CEO Joins Board of Vegan Firm
Former McDonald's CEO Don Thompson is flipping a new type of burger—one made without meat.
Spike Lee Shares Worst Film Experience, Top Career Moments
Spike Lee gets so excited when talking about movies, he can barely sit down. Reflecting on his career as he prepares to accept an honorary Oscar, the 58-year-old suddenly stands up and bounds around as he considers various ideas, at times bellowing so exuberantly, it echoes. Lee laughs as easily as he gets serious, and says he's profoundly touched by the film academy honor he'll receive Saturday at the seventh annual Governors Awards.
Heroin, Prescription Pain Pills Top Drug Threat in the U.S.
Heroin and prescription pain pills are among the top drug threats in the U.S., according to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s latest drug threat assessment.
Thursday, November 19
Judge orders release of video showing fatal shooting by Chicago police officer
A judge ordered Chicago Police to make public by Nov. 25 a dashboard video of a white police officer shooting an African-American teen 16 times.
Wynton Marsalis Honored for Humanitarian Work
PHILADELPHIA— Jazz great Wynton Marsalis has been honored with an award named for a pioneering opera singer.
Wednesday, November 18
Q & A with Kim Foxx
Kim Foxx, former chief of staff to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, believes that the criminal justice system in Cook County could use some shaking up. And the former Cabrini Green Housing Complex resident believes that she is the person to unseat current Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez.
Metra Train Fares Increase Next February
Dorian Lofton regularly rides the Metra train from his home in Matteson, Ill., to his job as a teacher in downtown Chicago.
Napoleon Harris Officially Announces Senate Run
Danny Davis Backs Andrea Zopp for Seat
Returning to his former high school in Harvey, Ill., Ill. State Sen. Napoleon Harris (Dist.-15th) officially announced Tuesday he is jumping into the U.S Senate race.
Mayor Emanuel Announces Start of City’s Debt Relief Program
Chicago Mayor Emanuel announced this week that the City’s Debt Relief Program has begun. The program, passed as part of the 2016 budget process, allows individuals and businesses who owe debt to the City to pay what they owe without additional costs.
Senator Dick Durbin Hosts Panel on the African Diaspora
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) recently hosted an assembly of U.S. diplomats, development specialists and economic empowerment experts during a forum entitled “Going Far Together: Helping the African Diaspora Build Their American Dreams and Helping African Nations Realize Their Potential”.
Roseland Woman Wins ComEd Contest; Utility Provides Winter Savings Tips
Melissa Petty enjoys saving money and conserving energy: She turns off lights when she isn’t using them and doesn’t overuse her home’s furnace or air conditioner.
Chicago Native Captains Only HBCU Division I Lacrosse Team
The upcoming 2016 season will be the first for Hampton University’s lacrosse team as a member of the NCAA Division I tier. The team that initially started out as a club team, will be captained by a native of Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. Midfielder Jeremy Triplett, a senior and marketing major, had never heard of lacrosse, despite attending college in a part of the country where the sports in prevalent.
Gang War Rumors Hurt South Side Businesses, Owners Say
The perception of a gang war is hurting businesses along 79th Street in Chicago, said a group of Chatham area business owners.
France Seeks EU Security Aid, Launches New Airstrikes on ISIS
PARIS— France made an unprecedented demand Tuesday that its European Union allies support its military action against the Islamic State group after the attacks in Paris — a request that came as France launched new airstrikes on the militants' stronghold in Syria.
Most Black Millennials Know Someone Harassed by Cops, Majority of Young Whites Don’t: Survey Says
Police brutality is something that young blacks not only read about in newspapers -- they actually live it, suggests a new study. Just more than half of African American millennials polled for the study indicated that they or someone they knew suffered harassment or violence from police, according to the “Black Millennials in America” report.
Friday, November 13
Chicago Mizzou Alums React to on Campus Student Protests
University of Missouri (U of M) alum Jeffery Beckham, is following the events at his alma mater as closely as he can. He is not surprised by the protests over racial tensions and other issues there.
Thursday, November 12
9 Tips for Aging Well
Although you can’t stop time, the right type and amount of physical activity can help stave off many age-related health problems.
SEC Adopts Rules to Permit Crowdfunding
The Securities and Exchange Commission last month adopted final rules to permit companies to offer and sell securities through crowdfunding. The Commission also voted to propose amendments to existing Securities Act rules to facilitate intrastate and regional securities offerings. The new rules and proposed amendments are designed to assist smaller companies with capital formation and provide investors with additional protections.
Tribune Parent Offers to Finance Media Firm in Chapter 11
The owner of the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times offered last week to loan $3 million to the bankrupt owner of a rival Southern California newspaper, a move that could set the stage for a bidding war. Chicago-based Tribune Publishing told a federal bankruptcy judge it's willing to loan Freedom Communications the money for day-to-day operations, with the money counting in any bid Tribune might make for Freedom's assets.
Wednesday, November 11
Governors State University gets Sports Teams, Joins CCAC
Willie Lipsey is trailblazing as a two-sport athlete at Governors State University in University Park, Ill. Lipsey ran the fastest time for the college’s cross country team. The 21-year-old junior also starts as a guard on the school’s basketball team.
CPS Recommends Closure of Four Underperforming Charter Schools
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Forrest Claypool announced last week the recommendations for closure of four chronically underperforming charter schools that are currently on the Academic Warning List and are either up for a renewal or have failed to implement required remediation plans.
Experts Dismiss Carson's Belief Pyramids Used to Store Grain
Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson last week stood by his belief that Egypt's great pyramids were built by the Biblical figure Joseph to store grain, an assertion dismissed by experts who say its accepted science they were tombs for pharaohs.
Western Suburb Settles Suit with Anti-Gun Activists
A western suburb settled a lawsuit with a group of anti-gun activists who claimed that too many of the firearms from that community eventually ended up on Chicago streets.
Madigan Asks for Peoples Gas Investigation, Calls for Restructuring of its Costly Main Replacement Program
Ill. Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced on Monday that her office has filed two petitions with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) in response to a shocking audit report that found Peoples Gas’ Accelerated Main Replacement Program (AMRP) could cost consumers an astronomical $8 billion, an estimate the company may have withheld from the ICC in attempting to secure approval of its recent merger with Wisconsin Energy Group.
Social Media Photos of the Mother of a Slain Nine-Year-Old Insinuates she is to Blame
Ever since last week’s horrific shooting of Tyshawn Lee, a nine-year-old who was lured into an Auburn Gresham alley and murdered, those who donated to a Go Fund Me account that was set up to cover the funeral expenses for the boy, have been bashing his parents Karla Lee and Pierre Stokes, thanks to photos shared on social media of the two.
Fight for $15 Day of Action in Chicago
Chicago fast-food cooks and cashiers joined what was billed as the largest-ever strike to hit America’s fast-food industry this week. One year ahead of Election Day, “Fight for $15,” staged walkouts in a record 270 cities, including Chicago.
Black Golfer to Enter PGA Hall of Fame
African-American golfer Charlie Sifford, who was often times referred to as the “Jackie Robinson of golf” for his groundbreaking legacy in the sport, will be inducted into the PGA (Professional Golf Association of America) Hall of Fame this week at a ceremony in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
Preckwinkle Withdraws Amusement Tax Plan; Adds Hotel Tax Hike
Following criticism from a planned expansion of the amusement tax, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle withdrew the proposal and introduced a new planned hike: a hotel tax.
Man Says ‘I’m a Snitch’ while Helping Cops in Teen Shooting Case
Malcolm Dyson was in his Chicago South Side home on Nov. 5 when he heard gun blasts. He rushed to check on his two young sons who were playing outside. He was relieved – the boys were fine.
Thursday, November 5
Couple Raises Grandchildren after Daughter, Son-In-Law Killed in South Suburban Crash
Robert and Barbara Campbell spent most of their lives raising nine children in a south suburb of Chicago, Ill.
Chicago HBCU Hardwood Classic Announces Game Schedule
The Chicago HBCU Hardwood Classic (CHHCS) called a press conference to expose Chicago’s youth to what HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) have to offer. The event was held at the Emil and Patricia A. Jones Convocation Center on the campus of Chicago State University, located at 9501 S. King Dr. Community members, clergy and local HBCU alumni attended.
Wednesday, November 4
Documentary on Chicago’s Hip-Hop Scene Aims to Tell a Story Rarely Told
New York and Los Angeles usually get the limelight when it comes to crediting the origin of Hip-Hop music. But two local music aficionados from Chicago beg to differ and want to set the record straight.
Best Vitamins for Black Hair
The strength, look and feel of “healthy hair” can define not only your overall look, but also, how you feel. While there are literally thousands of products that market to “healthy black hair” there are only a handful that have the proper ingredients to keep your hair healthy. And just like vitamins help your body, there are certain vitamins that specifically help your hair.
Chicago Hip-Hop Musicians Start Anti-Violence Campaign
Last month, a group of Chicago Hip-Hop artists and producers launched a new anti-violence campaign, aimed to tell the stories of those who’ve been affected the most by the violence in the city.
Cook County gets Gun Violence Coordinator to Help Curb Shootings
In response to Chicago’s spiraling shooting deaths, the Cook County Board of Commissioners authorized Sheriff Tom Dart to appoint a gun violence coordinator – believed to be the first nationally.
Chicago Police Department Hiring, City Launches Recruitment Campaign
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy this week announced that the city is accepting applications to join the Chicago Police Department for the first time since 2013.
Mac Irvin Fire Aims to Give Out 700 Turkeys for Thanksgiving
Representatives of a prominent traveling basketball team want to assist those who need it the most.
Gus Savage, Founder of the Chicago Citizen Newspaper, Congressman, Dies at 90
Gus Savage, the former congressman, civil rights activist and journalist, was his usual outspoken self on his 90th birthday party.
Chicago Aldermen Approve Tax Hike for Public Safety Pensions; Economist says Residents will be Financially Burdened
Dominique Spears, a retail clerk, is worried about how she will make ends meet after the Chicago City Council approved a $588 million property tax increase – the biggest tax hike in the municipality’s history.
Monday, November 2
In Memoriam Gus Savage
Founder Chicago Citizen Newspaper
Today we pay tribute to our founder, former congressman, Gus Savage, who died Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015 at the age of 90. We will eternally honor and cherish the leadership and fortitude you portrayed while establishing the Chicago Citizen Newspaper…the largest, black-owned, weekly newspaper chain in the Midwest. It is and will remain the absolute shining gem of Chicago’s south side.
Sunday, November 1
Russell Simmons’ Card Glitch Keeps Thousands from their Cash
Thousands of customers of pre-paid debit cards backed by hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons were left without access to their money more than a week after technical problems first began plaguing the cards.