(The Root) — The Presidential Citizens Medal is the nation’s second-highest civilian honor. In other words, it’s a really big deal. This year, three African Americans made the list of recipients, thanks to the serious and selfless work they do for their communities — from promoting childhood health to mentoring women and girls to helping…

Jesse Jackson Jr., who resigned from Congress three months ago after being accused of using campaign contributions for personal use, has now signed a plea deal with federal authorities, NBC News reports. Under the terms of the deal Jackson signed, he pleads guilty and his fate — as to jail time — would be in…

Friday on NPR’s StoryCorps, an interview series that aims to “provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share and preserve the stories of our lives,” there’s the story of a mother and daughter’s relationship so touching that even the seasoned host of the program became choked up after hearing it. …

Legendary jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd, known as a “pioneer of the trumpet” and an “avid, eternal student of music,” died earlier this week at the age of 80, a family member has confirmed, the Huffington Post reports. It’s still unclear why his nephew alleges that other family members placed an “unnecessary shroud of secrecy” over…

Friday, Feb. 8, 8:27 a.m. EST: No apology from firefighter for “pathetic, welfare-dependent” comments: Brian Beckman, a Miami fire official demoted for racially charged comments in the wake of the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, is arguing his case in arbitration and testified this week, “I agree with the entire statement in the context that…