25 Percent of Blacks Don't Have Voting ID

By: Jenée Desmond-Harris | Posted: October 23, 2011 at 8:27 PM

The problem with voter-ID laws: Slate points out that seemingly neutral voting reforms disproportionately hit poor and minority voters. (The Brennan Center for Justice estimates that while about 12 percent of Americans don't have a government-issued photo ID, the figure for African Americans is closer to 25 percent, and in some Southern states perhaps higher.)

Judge throws out counts against New Orleans police officers: While upholding the majority of the verdict, a federal judge yesterday threw out three counts against the five New Orleans police officers convicted in the Danziger Bridge case. Six civilians were shot by police on the bridge in the days after Hurricane Katrina; two of them died, and four were severely wounded.

John Singleton sues Paramount for $20 million: In a complaint filed Wednesday in Los Angeles, Singleton claims that the studios failed to uphold an agreement connected with the distribution rights to 2005's Hustle & Flow. The lawsuit claims that the studios promised to finance and distribute two future Singleton productions within five years but added restrictions when he submitted the projects.

The most ridiculous sports imposters: Slate runs down phony Vince Young, phony Derek Jeter and more of history's greatest and most ridiculous sports imposters.

In other news: Gunman Kills Brooklyn Mom Who Saved Kids.

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