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Judge to Read Baltimore Officer Caesar Goodson Jr.'s Verdict Thursday
The verdict in the trial of Caesar Goodson Jr., the Baltimore police officer facing the most serious charge in the death of Freddie Gray, is expected to be read by Judge Barry Williams Thursday morning, two weeks after the trial began, CNN reports. Goodson, who elected earlier this month to be tried by a judge…
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DOJ Will Not File Charges in Death of Kendrick Johnson
The Department of Justice will not be filing any charges in the 2013 death of Georgia high schooler Kendrick Johnson, whose body was found in a rolled-up wrestling mat at his school, with officials saying there was “insufficient evidence to support federal criminal charges,” 11Alive reports. According to the report, Johnson’s family met with the DOJ…
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Orlando, Fla., Shooter Identified Himself as ‘Islamic Soldier,’ Said US Should ‘Stop Bombing Syria and Iraq’
While on his rampage, Orlando, Fla., nightclub shooter Omar Mateen told 911 dispatchers that he was an “Islamic soldier” and threatened further violence by warning (falsely) that there were bombs in a car outside the club, USA Today reports. “No, you already know what I did,” Mateen said. “There is some vehicle outside that has some…
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Limited Transcripts of Police Calls With Orlando, Fla., Shooter to Be Released, Lynch Says
Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced Sunday that limited transcripts from three phone calls authorities had with Orlando, Fla., mass shooter Omar Mateen will be released Monday, CNN reports. “They will talk about what he told law enforcement on the ground as the events were unfolding,” Lynch said on the network’s State of the Union. “He…
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More Than 150 Officers Participated in the Launch of Massive Tactical Operation Conducted by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
More than 150 officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department conducted a massive sweep through several of the city’s neighborhoods Saturday as part of the largest tactical operation in its history, IndyStar reports. The operation, dubbed Operation First Step, aims to remove some of the most violent offenders and those with a propensity for violence…
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Cleveland Sees 1st Championship Title in 52 Years With Cavaliers Win
The Cleveland Cavaliers have made history, becoming the first team to win the NBA title after overcoming a 3-1 deficit, the Associated Press reports. This title also marks the first time in 52 years that the city of Cleveland has seen one of its teams win a professional sports championship. At the end of the…
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How Social Media Is Helping to Change the Image of Young Black Dads
When mainstream media paints a picture of black fatherhood, the image is usually marred by racialized prejudices and stereotypes about black manhood in general. Case in point: Remember the little boy who fell into the gorilla habitat at the Cincinnati Zoo, resulting in the death of the endangered silverback gorilla, Harambe? (Of course you do.)…
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Body of Missing Pregnant La. Teacher Found
Authorities have positively identified badly decomposed remains as those of a pregnant Baton Rouge, La., teacher who has been missing since last week, WAFB reports. The East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office used dental records to identify the remains of Lyntell Washington, 40, who was reported missing June 9 after her 3-year-old daughter was found alone…
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Mother Emanuel Holds Services of Remembrance, a Year After Mass Shooting at the Church
Exactly a year ago, the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., was left reeling after a horrific mass shooting that claimed the lives of nine victims, including church pastor and state Sen. Clementa Pinckney. Today, Friday, the church is remembering those parishioners, embracing the community with a message of love, as it remember those…
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Orlando, Fla., Shooter Texted Wife During Rampage: Report
As he killed dozens of innocent victims, Orlando, Fla., nightclub shooter Omar Mateen began texting his wife, asking if she had seen the news, CNN reports. According to the report, at around 4 a.m. Sunday, two hours into his rampage, Mateen started messaging his wife. At one point, Salman responded, saying that she loved him,…