BRING THAT WEEK BACK: Week of May 17
Bring That Week Back: Get the Top Stories of the Last Week
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Hot Seat - RNC Chairman Michael Steele marked 100 days in office this week. But instead of celebrating, he found himself at the center of a few controversies. He slammed Democrats, including Pres. Obama, in a speech that many say fell flat. Now, some of the top brass of his party are coming after him with claims that he hires friends and overpays them.
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Michelle Obama Visits New York's MET - First lady Michelle Obama visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York this week. She cut the ribbon at the re-opening of the renovated American Wing galleries. She also spoke to a crowd of admiring guests. In her short five-minute speech, she said even in our sinking economy, Americans must stay committed to supporting the arts.
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Toledo Beating - Ohio cops say claims of police brutality in Toledo were unwarranted. Images of bloody teenager Trevor Casey went out into cyberspace and on major news networks after he had a run-in with officers. Video footage shows the Black youth being man-handled by two Black cops until he’s put in cuffs. But police say Casey provoked a fight and hit one officer in the chest before a witness’ camera started recording. It’s all under internal investigation.
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Rihanna Spotted Kissing New Guy - Word is that Rihanna was recently spotted with a gang of lady friends at a New York strip joint. From reports making the Web rounds, she’s moved on from her Chris Brown drama. Rihanna got cozy with a male guest in the VIP section throughout the night, if witness claims are correct. But they say that the singer resisted lap dances.
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Harvard Shooting - Justin Cosby, who was shot in the abdomen at one of the world’s most esteemed universities, died. Cosby was wounded outside of a dormitory at Harvard, in a tragedy that shocked much of the faculty and student body. Cosby was identified as a student from Salem State College. The incident was the second college shooting in recent weeks. Cosby was 21 years old.
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Insulting Michelle? - Michelle Obama has many admirers. But Michelle Obama isn't all that, says at least one Black woman. Model Iman isn’t so impressed with the popular First Lady’s looks, and she said so publicly. Coupled with negative comments from a radio host, the feedback on Mrs. Obama may have her shaking the haters off.
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Out of Prison, Back in the Saddle - Michael Vick resumed football workouts with his training staff. The ex-Atlanta Falcon hopes to make one of sports’ biggest comebacks, following his release from prison. The former quarterback will serve the remainder of his time under supervision following his illegal dog-fighting conviction. Vick served over a year in the federal pen after pleading guilty in his home state of Virginia.
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Evander Holyfield<bR>Goes to Africa - Evander Holyfield agreed to box in support of AIDS patients in Ethiopia. The ex-heavyweight champ will face a fighter from the African nation, with proceeds going toward a medical fund. Already a legend in the sport, Holyfield will take a step toward establishing a legacy as an international humanitarian and activist. Talk about fighting for a cause…
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NYC Plot - Four New York City men have been arrested and charged with plotting a deadly terrorist attack. According to investigators, the men had organized a plan to bomb a Jewish synagogue in the Bronx and shoot down military planes at New York’s National Guard base in upstate New York with surface-to-air missiles. Police say they are not connected to any larger terrorist group.
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Kanye Joins BET's Lineup - What will you be doing on June 28 at 8 p.m.? Your best bet is to catch Kanye West performing at this year’s BET Awards. The rap superstar has been added to a stellar list of celebs appearing on the annual network recognition show. Kanye’s hit song collaborator Jamie Foxx hosts.
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T.I. to Spend a Year in Jail - A court spokesman said T.I. will do longer than the rumored two months of incarceration. The actual amount of prison time Tip’s expected to serve is just under a year. Word had it that his stay in the pen after an illegal guns conviction would be just a few weeks after the rapper claimed he’d be back before fans missed him. But with a 10-month bid, he may be missed a little bit after all.
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No Support - Rapper Nas is asking a Los Angeles court to deny his soon-to-be ex-wife Kelis any spousal support after their divorce is final. The R&B singer, famous for her hit song “Milkshake,” filed for divorce last month after six years of being one of Hollywood’s hottest celeb couples.
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Beyonce Finds Alter "Ego" in Kanye? - R&B superstar Beyonce Knowles says she knew right away who would be the best person to collaborate with on the remix of her new single “Ego.” Who else but the talented and super self-confident rapper Kanye West, she says. Knowles and her husband Jay-Z are good friends of West. Can’t wait to hear the track.
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Exposed? - A pro athlete is arrested for fondling himself in a Florida woman’s yard. Buffalo Bills player Corey McIntyre is charged with a misdemeanor sex crime following the incident that took place in March. He was reportedly seen from a window while he masturbated outside the woman’s home. McIntyre denied the charges after being identified by the woman while spotted riding his bike. By the way, no fumbles were mentioned in the incident.
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Thousands Rally for Death Row Inmate - A Georgia man’s death sentence was widely opposed. Thousands protested on behalf of Troy Anthony Davis. Many believe that the condemned man is innocent of murder and that he is a victim of class discrimination by the legal system. Davis filed an appeal of his sentence on the same day that rallying on his behalf was planned.
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Obama Hosts The Steelers - Where's Mean Joe?" Obama joked to laughter and applause, referrring to the former Steelers legend. The President welcomed Super Bowl champions, Pittsburgh Steelers, to the White House to celebrate their victory, but their visit ended up being much more than a party. Pres. Obama joined the players to make care packages for U.S. troops abroad.
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Kanye Pleads<BR> Not Guilty - Rapper Kanye West pleaded not guilty this week to charges from his alleged altercation at LAX with a photographer. He was arrested and charged on a number of counts, including vandalism and misdemeanor battery.
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Russell Simmons to Sue Def Jam - A rap pioneer is pondering legal action against the company that he helped build. Russell Simmons made reference to a possible lawsuit while communicating by Twitter, but the entry was quickly removed. Fake celebrity bloggers and phony Web sites have been in the Web era, so it’s not a sure thing that Rev. Run’s big brother is heading to court. Def Jam is responsible for some of the most legendary names in hip hop, including L.L. Cool J.
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Rapper Dolla Dies - Gun madness made another visit to the rap world. Dolla, one of Akon’s artists, was shot to death in a beef at Los Angeles' Beverly Center. The incident leaves the Konvict record label minus one aspiring star. Will violence ever stop disproportionately claiming performers in one of the world’s most commercial music genres... Or at least offer a grace period?
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Harrison Snubs Obama - A Pittsburgh Steelers star defenseman skipped an invitation to the White House. James Harrison appears to have taken exception to the fact that President Obama summoned the Steelers to D.C. for no other reason than their Super Bowl win. Never mind the tradition of presidential invitations to champion sports teams – Harrison points out that if the Arizona Cardinals had defeated Pittsburgh for the title, Obama would’ve invited their team. And you know what? He’s probably right.
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Twins Born to Two Dads - A pair of twins born in Dallas aren't brothers. Instead, they are half-brothers because they have different fathers.
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Philadelphia, Miss. Elects First Black Mayor - Voters in the town of Philadelphia, Mississippi have now officially elected their first Black mayor. Affidavit ballots were counted and the results certified this morning. James Young edged out a win over incumbent Mayor Rayburn Waddell, by a 64-vote margin. Young says his victory sends the message that Philadelphia is evolving. The city is most known across the state and country for the murders of three civil rights workers.
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Malcolm X's Grandson Speaks Out - On what would’ve been Malcolm X’s 84th birthday, the murdered revolutionary’s grandson, also named Malcolm, spoke out. The grandson shed light on his unstable upbringing in the family of the hero who actor Ossie Davis once called “our manhood” and “our Black, shining Prince.” The junior Malcolm also discussed the fire for which he was held responsible as a child, and which resulted in the death of his grandmother, Betty Shabazz. Born May 19, Malcolm X was assassinated by members of the "Nation."
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"Rebirth" Pushed Back - If you’re one of the anxious fans waiting for rapper Lil Wayne’s follow-up to “Tha Carter,” you might have to hold on for just a little longer. No official statement has been released, but sources say the drop date of Weezy’s new album, "The Rebirth,” has been pushed back to the middle of summer. It was previously scheduled to drop at the end of June.
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Gay Wedding Celebrations - Black gays in Massachusetts were among those observing a five-year landmark. The state made same-sex marriages legal by court order. But a new poll produced by the National Organization for Marriage and the Massachusetts Family Institute reportedly showed strong division on the issue still remains. Funny how even love can cause separation.
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New Role - Former President Bill Clinton won't have to sit around waiting to accompany Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on official state visits abroad. He has become an emissary in his own right. This week, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced Clinton will represent the world body as Special Envoy to Haiti,. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world and high food and oil prices, hurricanes and political instability have complicated the Caribbean nation's problems.
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Kilpatrick Wants $100 Million From SkyTel - Five lawyers connected with the case that got Kwame Kilpatrick kicked out of the Detroit mayor’s office were accused of impropriety. On both the prosecuting side and in the city’s legal department, attorneys are said to have violated legal rules. Kilpatrick stepped down as mayor in a plea bargain that let him avoid a possible lengthy prison sentence. He was convicted of lying under oath to cover up an extra-marital affair with his ex-chief of staff, who also went to jail.
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Birmingham, Ala. Fires Cops - The Birmingham, Ala., Police Department, acknowledging a “shameful” act by several of its officers, fired five of them Wednesday for beating an unconscious Black man following a high-speed chase. In fact, the suspect was so out of it during the beating which was caught on a police car videotape, that he only learned about it during his trial after the DA requested a copy of the tape to play for the jury.
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Chris Brown Going Country - Chris Brown might be going Country on his next album. According to reports, he’s working on a remake of the song “Trapped in a Dream" and will possiblly team up with Country music star Carrie Underwood on the project. Writer and producer Robert Allen says, “Maybe we’ll see an appearance from Carrie Underwood or someone like that. It’s that kind of song.”
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Supreme Court Will Pass - The highest judicial body in the nation won’t hear an appeal by a former Louisiana Congressman. William J. Jefferson’s effort to have corruption charges against him dismissed was unsuccessful. The Supreme Court, which determines matters that involve alleged violations of the Constitution, is not required to hear every case. A Democrat, Jefferson claims that he’s been wrongly accused.
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Marathon TV – One On One - Don’t miss a minute! Catch back-to-back episodes of “One On One” during BET’s marathon this weekend.
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New Baby Mama? - Akon was named as the dad of what would be his sixth child by a woman in Uganda. The singer, who was born in Africa, has children by multiple women. The Ugandan says that she and Akon were intimate during his tour of the country. She is reportedly the sibling of a fashion designer.
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Big Plans - Rapper Soulja Boy says he wants his next album "The DeAndre Way" to stand among hip-hop classics. The rapper says he wants to do collaborations with hip-hop standouts like Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and Kanye West.
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Farewell, Wayman Tisdale - Ex-NBA standout-turned-jazz artist Wayman Tisdale was buried. The guitarist, who gained a following in adult-contemporary music, enjoyed newfound fame after his retirement from basketball. Tisdale released CDs and performed on tour before he discovered that he had cancer. He underwent treatments and fought a battle that many called admirable, even after losing his leg to amputation. Tisdale was 44.