Friday, October 30
Chris Rock to Host ABC’s Oscar Broadcast Next Year
Chris Rock is coming back to host the Oscars for a second time. The show's producers say the prolific comedian-filmmaker will be at the helm for the 88th Academy Awards on Feb. 28 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Producers David Hill and Reginald Hudlin called Rock "the MVP of the entertainment industry."
Wednesday, October 28
City Council Approves Mayor’s Big Tax Hike to Pay for Public Safety Pensions, Schools
Facing a $20 billion pension crisis, Chicago City Council approved a $588 million property tax increase over the next four years – the biggest tax hike in the municipality’s history.
“Boycott Star Wars Vi” Hashtag Trends on Social Media
Ever since the first trailer leaked earlier this year of the upcoming “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” movie, some the fans of the iconic movie franchise were outraged that one of the lead character is Black.
Friends of Bogan Football Player Start a Go Fund Me Account to Help with his Funeral Expenses
Friends and family of Andre Smith, started a Go Fund Me account last week after the student football player from Chicago's Bogan High School, died from injuries sustained during a game against Chicago Vocational High School. The death was the second to hit the Smith household. Andre’s father, Eric, died in 2000 after a tragic motorcycle accident.
Two Men Charged In Fuller Park Triple Homicide
The Chicago Police Department announced that charges were filed against two men in connection with a triple homicide in Fuller Park.
CPS Announces New Charter School Accountability Policy
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced this week a proposed charter school accountability policy that will hold charter schools to the same academic standards as district-run schools and allow CPS to take swift action against poor performers.
100 Black Men of Chicago Mentors Teens in South Suburbs
Jared Higgins used to skip classes about three days a week as a student at Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor, Ill.
South Carolina Police Officer Fired After Confrontation with Student Goes Viral
A video of a South Carolina police officer assaulting a female high school student in a classroom went viral this week. Many social media users used the hashtag “#AssaultAtSpringValleyHigh to voice their outrage over the recording.
Coalition of Police Chiefs Urge Lawmakers to Toughen Gun Laws
The National Law Enforcement Partnership to Prevent Gun Violence, a coalition of nine national law enforcement leadership organizations, discussed gun violence occurring across the U.S. at a press conference during the annual conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) at Chicago’s McCormick Place this week.
Englewood Activist Tapped for Esther Golar’s House Seat
A community activist was selected for the vacant seat of Ill. State Rep. Esther Golar, who died last month.
Community Activist Helps Kids Broaden their Horizons
Jahmal Cole once volunteered at Cook County Jail’s Juvenile Detention Facility Automatic Transfer Unit. “I noticed the teenaged boys were shackled like animals. Once the guard let them out of their chains, the young men approached me, shook my hand and hugged me,” Cole says. “As I sat back and listened to them, I couldn't help but feel like we [Chicagoans] had let these young men down. They grew up in communities with no access to opportunities, while most people live in comfortable Chicago communities wrapped up in an illusion of security.”
Sandi Jackson Starts Sentence in Prison that Once Housed Martha Stewart
Former Chicago Ald. Sandi Jackson, who pleaded guilty to filing false income tax returns, started her one-year sentence in a federal prison camp in West Virginia, federal officials said.
Illinois Tollway Hosts Forum to Help Increase Minority Contractors
African Americans are roughly 15 percent of the state’s population but get less than 10 percent of Illinois Tollway contracts.
Dems Back Alderman over Incumbent in Cook County Circuit Court Clerk’s Race
Just two weeks ago, activist Tio Hardiman announced that he changed plans to seek a seat in Congress, and instead is running for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk – surprising some political insiders.
Q & A with NOBLE’s President Gregory A. Thomas
Gregory A. Thomas is the current president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Execuctives (NOBLE). NOBLE has nearly 60 chapters and over 3,000 members worldwide.
Thursday, October 22
Plan Proposed to Improve Minority Hiring for City Government Jobs
An office of diversity is being proposed as part of city government in Chicago by African American and Hispanic aldermen.
Why Is Elephant Cancer Rare? Answer Might Help Treat Humans
Cancer is much less common in elephants than in humans, even though the big beasts' bodies have many more cells. That's a paradox known among scientists, and now researchers think they may have an explanation — one they say might someday lead to new ways to protect people from cancer.
'Sir' Walter Scott Recognized for Long, Impressive Music Career
“Sir” Walter Scott, 72, has played a guitar for as long as he can remember.
Mayor Launches $250,000 Gun Buyback Program
Attempting to reduce shootings on the streets, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced a new $250,000 gun buyback program.
Showing Less Skin: Playboy to Stop Running Nude Photos
LOS ANGELES (AP) — For generations, teenage boys got their first look at a naked woman from Playboy, often from a copy swiped from Dad's sock drawer or filched from a newsstand.
Wednesday, October 21
Ebony’s November Cover Breeds Mixed Emotions
Lately, Ebony magazine has been posting the covers to their upcoming monthly issues on Twitter and on Facebook. The cover they recently revealed for the upcoming November issue…let’s just say folks are talking...a lot.
South Suburban Official Leads Effort for Charleston Church to get Nobel Peace Prize
When Thornton Township Supervisor Frank Zuccarelli, watched television coverage of the fatal church shootings in Charleston, S.C., this past summer, he expected an angry response.
Beverly Church Holds Prison Industrial Complex Workshop
The Beverly Unitarian Church, located at 10244 S. Longwood Dr. in Chicago, made headlines recently after promoting the Black Lives Matter movement on its digital sign. Now the church has decided to focus on other ways to address the matter of alleged police brutality against African Americas, an issue that has divided the nation.
New Taxes Proposed for Cable TV, Recreational Activities in Cook County
Area residents could pay more for cable television service and a variety of other recreational activities if a budget proposal by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is approved.
Youthful Guest Speaker Wows Chatham Business Association
Alexander Buckles, the Supplier Diversity Analyst for the McCormick Place, was the guest speaker at the Chatham Business Association’s (CBA) monthly meeting last week.
Thursday, October 15
Will Smith is Getting Jiggy with Music Again with Latin Band
Will Smith is getting jiggy with music again. The Grammy-winning rapper and Oscar-nominated actor appears on a remix of Colombian band Bomba Estereo’s song, “Fiesta.”electro sounds, on a recent trip to Colombia. He then asked the group to collaborate.
Janet Jackson Moves Las Vegas “Unbreakable” Tour Stop to May to Rest Her Voice
LAS VEGAS, Janet Jackson cancelled her Oct. 9 and Oct. 10 shows at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino to rest her vocal chords, and the Las Vegas stop on her “Unbreakable” tour will move to a new 20,000-seat arena in May.
Drug Inmates with Long Rap Sheets Among Those Freed Early
A push to overhaul criminal sentencing is prompting the early release of thousands of federal drug prisoners, including some whom prosecutors once described as threats to society, according to an Associated Press review of court records.
Ex-Bear Chris Zorich Encourages Students as Suburban College Administrator
When Chris Zorich was a freshman at Notre Dame University, he struggled in the classroom.
Owner of South Holland-Based Syrup Business Enters Local Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame
When Michele Hoskins started her syrup business in her mother’s basement 31 years ago, she had no idea that she would end up in a Chicago area hall of fame for entrepreneurship.
Chicago State University Picks Alabama Educator as New President
He became a high profile figure locally as principal of two Chicago area schools and headmaster of another one. He helped stabilize enrollment at North Alabama University in Florence. And now, Chicago State University is looking to Thomas J. Calhoun Jr. for leadership.
South Side Cubs Fans Fly the “W” in Enemy Territory
When it comes to baseball loyalty in Chicago, it’s pretty cut and dry. South siders are White Sox fans, and North siders are Cubs fans…usually.
Chicago Should Host White House Conference on Gun Violence: Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr.
Chicago should host a White House conference to end gun violence in the city and in the entire nation, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. said.
Chatham Native Honored at the White House for Bike Advocacy
Olatunji Oboi Reed, the president and co-founder of Slow Roll Chicago, a bicycle movement that aims to transform lives and improve the condition of communities, was chosen this week by the U.S. Department of Transportation as a 2015 White House Transportation Champion of Change.
Activist Tio Hardiman Plans to Seek Circuit Court Clerk’s Office instead of Congress
Activist Tio Hardiman, who recently announced a run for Congress, is instead challenging Dorothy Brown for her job as Clerk of Circuit Court of Cook County, Ill.
Ex-Chicago Public Schools CEO Pleads Guilty to Accepting Bribes
Former Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett pleaded guilty Tuesday to accepting bribes in an alleged kickback scheme.
Thursday, October 8
Rebuild Foundation Opens Stony Island Arts Bank
The Stony Island Trust & Savings Bank, a longtime staple of Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood, recently reintroduced itself under a new name to another generation of residents.
Sen. Durbin Discusses Landmark Sentencing Reform Legislation
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) held a news conference this week at Roosevelt University in Chicago to discuss a landmark, bipartisan agreement he helped broker in the Senate to overhaul the nation’s criminal justice system. The bill tackles the mass incarceration that has disproportionately impacted minority communities across the nation and weighed heavily on the nation’s finances.
Chicago State University Picks Alabama College Administrator as New President
An Alabama college administrator with ties to Chicago will replace Dr. Wayne Watson who is retiring as president of Chicago State University.
Illinois South Suburban colleges Team Up to Help Minority Males
Addison Jackson, Jr., an Army veteran who worked as an executive at a St. Louis bank, struggled when he returned to college four years ago.
Beverly Residents to Local Church: You Caved In
Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood has long been an enclave to many of the city’s law enforcement officers. Ironically, the rallying cry of an organization that has chastised the police for some of their tactics, prominently landed on a digital scrolling sign of a church in Beverly.
American Dancers Teach Technique, Confidence in South Africa
A day before the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater begin the South African leg of their international tour, the company's dancers taught a master class in Johannesburg's historic Soweto township early in September.
Apollo Theater to Induct 3 Comedians into Walk of Fame
The Apollo Theater in Harlem inducted comics Richard Pryor, Moms Mabley and Redd Foxx into its walk of fame.
Three Finalists Named for President’s Job at Chicago State Univ.
Three college administrators have been identified as finalists to replace Dr. Wayne Watson who is retiring as president of Chicago State University.
Chicagoans Remember Evergreen Plaza Ahead of Demolition
Consumers often times have an emotional attachment to places where they shop. Sometimes, they even give nicknames to their favorite shopping centers. Evergreen Plaza, which is scheduled for demolition this week, was nicknamed “The Plaza.”
CPS Seeks Community Input on Draft Guidelines for School Actions
The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) released a draft last week of the school district annual guidelines for taking school actions, including co-locations or re-assigning boundary changes to expand access to a high-quality education for all students.
Group Throws Birthday Party for Boy who Lost Mother, Grandmother in Shootings
Persha Chew, who lost her sister and mother to gun violence last week, was struggling on how to tell her young nephew that his mother was never coming home. The 26-year-old Chicago South Side woman said she also wondered how to celebrate his birthday.
CPS Taps Principal to Head Controversial Bronzeville High School
A principal was selected to head a high school in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood that reopens next year after protests, including a hunger strike.
Chicago Bulls to Celebrate 50 Years of Basketball this Season
The Chicago Bulls announced last week plans to commemorate 50 years of the franchise’s existence throughout the upcoming 2015-16 season.
Chicago’s African American Aldermen call on Mayor to Fire Police Supt. Garry McCarthy
The Chicago City Council’s Black Caucus demanded the firing of Police Supt. Garry McCarthy, saying he hasn’t done enough to battle crime or promote black officers. “We have been troubled by the superintendent’s lack of responsiveness to our concerns and requests as we face this (crime) crisis,” said Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th Ward), president of the caucus.
Gary Teenager Opposes Sagging Pants Fashion, City Considers Anti-Sagging Ban
Honor roll student Da’Ione Fields wants to see his community improve. On weekends, the 18-year-old Gary high school senior sometimes voluntarily boards up abandoned buildings.