This doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone. The U.S. Postal Service will increase rates in order to raise more money. Postal officials are meeting today to discuss the actual amount of the increases. Increases are not supposed to exceed the rate of inflation, except under unusual circumstances. Wonder if a beleaguered economy qualifies as…

Damon Evans, the Southeastern Conference’s first black athletic director, has resigned less than a week after he was charged with a DUI. Courtney Fuhrmann, a woman who is not his wife, was also in the car in a compromising position. She was charged with disorderly conduct. Evans claimed that she was “just a friend,” while…

California’s food stamp policy is outdated. It is the only state that does not allow its 1.2 million recipients of federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to apply for the benefit. Many recipients are disabled because of chronic ailments or debilitating diseases like multiple sclerosis. Instead of food stamps, they can apply for a State Supplementary…

Pregnant R&B singer Alicia Keys fell during a performance at the Essence Music Festival. While walking on four-inch heels, she slipped and fell on the stage, landing on her bottom. A consummate professional, Keys got right back up, moved to her piano and continued the performance. The fall comes after Keys’ high-profile BET Awards performance,…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data on the number of AIDS cases in the nation. Miami ranked first, followed by Baton Rouge, with New Orleans rounding out the top three. Lack of access to health care, poverty and late testing are factors given for the figures. Baton Rouge and New Orleans…

The rate of unemployment for black women has dropped for the second consecutive month. In June the black female unemployment rate dropped from 12.4 percent to 11.8 percent. The rate is still higher than the national average for whites, but it is an improvement, at least statistically. This is the largest drop in unemployment among…

BP’s costs for the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have increased nearly half a billion dollars in the past week, raising the oil giant’s tab to just over $3 billion for work on cleaning and capping the gusher and payouts to individuals, businesses and governments. BP has continued drilling relief wells which are…

Defending champion Serena Williams convincingly wins fourth straight Wimbledon title. Williams disposed of Vera Zvonareva in Saturday’s final 6-3, 6-2, defending her title. She has now won Wimbledon four times, trailing her sister, Venus, by one win. This is the 13th grand slam win for Serena Williams, who broke tennis legend Billie Jean King’s record…

Janet Jackson is headlining this year’s Essence Music Festival. The iconic performer returns to the stage tonight after a two-year hiatus marked by box office success in two Tyler Perry vehicles and the death of her brother, music legend Michael Jackson. Janet finally agreed to perform at the festival after being pursued by Essence Communications…