-
Betsy DeVos, Religion and Taxpayer Dollars for Private School Education
President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that billionaire philanthropist Betsy DeVos was his choice for education secretary. DeVos, a conservative activist, has no professional experience in schools, and she is known politically for pushing private school voucher programs—which, as the Washington Post describes, is a controversial position within public school circles. DeVos has spent millions of…
-
#NoDAPL: Protester Hit With Police Concussion Grenade Faces Arm Amputation
A water protector who was present during the recent violent police response to protesters at Standing Rock in North Dakota is facing arm amputation after a concussion grenade thrown by police reportedly hit her left arm Sunday, Indian Country Today Media Network reports. Sophia Wilansky, 21, of New York City, was headed to bring water to…
-
Baton Rouge, La., Settles Lawsuit With BLM Protesters for $100,000
Black Lives Matter protesters who were arrested in July while demonstrating after the shooting death of Alton Sterling will receive a monetary settlement from the city of Baton Rouge, La. As part of the settlement the Baton Rouge Metro Council approved on Tuesday, four agencies will pay activist DeRay Mckesson and his fellow plaintiffs $100,000.…
-
President Obama Issues the Last Turkey Pardon of His Presidency
On the eve of President Barack Obama’s last Thanksgiving in the White House, he carried on the time-honored tradition of pardoning a turkey before the holiday. Nephews Austin and Aaron Robinson were on hand to watch their Uncle President in the pardon of the National Thanksgiving Turkey ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White…
-
Justice Department Settles Discrimination Claim Against Denver Sheriff's Department
The U.S. Department of Justice reached a settlement Tuesday resolving a claim that the Denver Sheriff’s Department discriminated against immigrants in its hiring policies, a violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). An investigation by the Justice Department found that from approximately Jan. 1, 2015, until approximately March 23, 2016, the Denver Sheriff’s Department…
-
NC Gov. Pat McCrory Refuses to Concede, Demands Recount
North Carolina’s incumbent governor has dug in his heels and is not going out without a fight. Two weeks after the election, Pat McCrory, a Republican, officially asked for a recount Tuesday. Roy Cooper, McCrory’s Democratic challenger, claimed victory election night with a 4,000-vote lead out of 4.2 million votes cast, and as the Washington…
-
Obama Administration's Overtime Expansion Rule Blocked by Federal Judge in Texas
A federal judge in Texas blocked an Obama administration expansion of the overtime rule on Tuesday, just days before it was set to take effect. The Labor Department measure, which would have gone into effect Dec. 1, would have expanded which employees were eligible for overtime pay by doubling the salary level at which…
-
President Obama Grants 79 More Commutations to Nonviolent Drug Offenders
President Barack Obama granted 79 more commutations Tuesday, bringing his total to more than 1,000 during his time in office, the Washington Post reports. The president has granted commutations to more prisoners, the majority of whom were nonviolent drug offenders, than the last 11 presidents combined. Obama has committed to using the tools at his…
-
#NoDAPL: Unarmed Water Protectors Met With Violent Militarized Police Response
Water protectors who attempted to remove two broken-down military trucks from Highway 1806 in North Dakota on Sunday night were met with a militarized response from law enforcement that included the use of tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, concussion grenades, and more crowd-control munitions. Independent news site Unicorn Riot broadcast live Sunday night when…
-
Dave Chappelle Has 3 Stand-Up Specials Coming to Netflix
If Dave Chappelle’s appearance on Saturday Night Live earlier this month left you wanting more, you are in luck: The comedian has three specials coming to Netflix, the online network announced Monday. As Variety reports, these projects will be Chappelle’s first stand-up TV specials in 12 years. “Dave Chappelle is a legendary voice in comedy—searing,…
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude
