Bring That Week Back: Week of Nov. 8

Beyonce comes in at No. 2; coach suspended for whipping players and A.I. is welcomed in Turkey. Plus more!

Oprah Interviews the Jacksons - In an episode that aired Monday, Oprah Winfrey interviewed Michael Jackson’s children Prince, 13, Paris, 12, and Blanket, 8, along with his parents Katherine and Joseph Jackson. The children spoke about fond memories of their father, who died last June. "I kind of felt like no one understands what a good father he was," Paris said during the interview. Katherine Jackson also revealed that she believed her son was addicted to plastic surgery, and Joe Jackson admitted he had whipped his kids.

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Oprah Interviews the Jacksons - In an episode that aired Monday, Oprah Winfrey interviewed Michael Jackson’s children Prince, 13, Paris, 12, and Blanket, 8, along with his parents Katherine and Joseph Jackson. The children spoke about fond memories of their father, who died last June. "I kind of felt like no one understands what a good father he was," Paris said during the interview. Katherine Jackson also revealed that she believed her son was addicted to plastic surgery, and Joe Jackson admitted he had whipped his kids.

NYC Mother Charged With Murder - Carlotta Brett-Pierce, whose 4-year-old daughter weighed less than 18 pounds when she was found dead in September, was indicted on murder charges Monday. The child, Marchella, died of child abuse syndrome, including acute drug poisoning, blunt impact injuries, malnutrition and dehydration. Brett-Pierce could face up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

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NYC Mother Charged With Murder - Carlotta Brett-Pierce, whose 4-year-old daughter weighed less than 18 pounds when she was found dead in September, was indicted on murder charges Monday. The child, Marchella, died of child abuse syndrome, including acute drug poisoning, blunt impact injuries, malnutrition and dehydration. Brett-Pierce could face up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted.

Ex-NFL Player Sentenced to 30 Years - David Meggett, a retired NFL running back and punt returner, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after he was convicted this week for criminal sexual conduct and burglary in South Carolina. The conviction was due to a case involving an incident with a college student early last year. He was also arrested in 1998 for allegedly assaulting an escort worker in Canada. Meggett played with the New York Giants, New York Jets and the New England Patriots during his nine-year career.

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Ex-NFL Player Sentenced to 30 Years - David Meggett, a retired NFL running back and punt returner, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after he was convicted this week for criminal sexual conduct and burglary in South Carolina. The conviction was due to a case involving an incident with a college student early last year. He was also arrested in 1998 for allegedly assaulting an escort worker in Canada. Meggett played with the New York Giants, New York Jets and the New England Patriots during his nine-year career.

Graphic Cigarette Labels - In an effort to slash tobacco use, government agencies announced Wednesday that they’re pushing for more graphic warning labels on cigarettes. The graphic images, which will take up half of each pack of cigarettes, include corpses, cancer patients and diseased lungs. While the number of adult smokers has decreased 20 percent since 1970, a further decline has stalled in the past few years, prompting this latest anti-tobacco campaign.

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Graphic Cigarette Labels - In an effort to slash tobacco use, government agencies announced Wednesday that they’re pushing for more graphic warning labels on cigarettes. The graphic images, which will take up half of each pack of cigarettes, include corpses, cancer patients and diseased lungs. While the number of adult smokers has decreased 20 percent since 1970, a further decline has stalled in the past few years, prompting this latest anti-tobacco campaign.

Short Shorts Shooting - Ohio woman Evelyn Burgess, who police say shot and killed her cousin Danielle Pickens over a revealing Easter outfit, was sentenced to 18 years to life in prison Tuesday. According to prosecutors, the April 4 incident started when Pickens showed up at Burgess’ house for Easter dinner wearing jean shorts and a t-shirt tied up around her midriff. Burgess thought the shorts were too short and that “her husband was looking at them.” The argument escalated with Burgess getting a gun and shooting.

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Short Shorts Shooting - Ohio woman Evelyn Burgess, who police say shot and killed her cousin Danielle Pickens over a revealing Easter outfit, was sentenced to 18 years to life in prison Tuesday. According to prosecutors, the April 4 incident started when Pickens showed up at Burgess’ house for Easter dinner wearing jean shorts and a t-shirt tied up around her midriff. Burgess thought the shorts were too short and that “her husband was looking at them.” The argument escalated with Burgess getting a gun and shooting.

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Beyonce, Oprah Top Women Earners - This week, Forbes magazine released its annual list of entertainment’s highest-paid females, and Black women swept the top two spots. Talk show host Oprah Winfrey came out on top with $324 million in earnings, while singer Beyoncé came in a distant second with $89 million in earnings. Rounding out the list were Britney Spears ($65 million), Lady Gaga ($64 million) and Madonna ($59.9 million).

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Beyonce, Oprah Top Women Earners - This week, Forbes magazine released its annual list of entertainment’s highest-paid females, and Black women swept the top two spots. Talk show host Oprah Winfrey came out on top with $324 million in earnings, while singer Beyoncé came in a distant second with $89 million in earnings. Rounding out the list were Britney Spears ($65 million), Lady Gaga ($64 million) and Madonna ($59.9 million).

Cam Will Enter NFL Draft - After a dream season Auburn QB and Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton will forgo his senior season at the school to enter the NFL draft, the school announced Thursday night in a statement. Amid controversy about his father’s alleged unethical conduct, Newton led his team to a 14-0 season and a national title victory Monday night over Oregon.

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Cam Newton Controversy - Auburn University’s star QB and Heisman Trophy contender, Cam Newton, has been facing mounting troubles recently stemming from reports that his father, Cecil, solicited money while he was being recruited. The elder Newton allegedly asked for $100,000-$180,000 for his son to sign a scholarship with Mississippi State. There are also allegations that Cam was involved in academic cheating while he was a student at Florida. Auburn, though, says he’s eligible to play.

A.I. Welcomed in Turkey - Former NBA All-Star Allen Iverson was given a hero’s welcome Tuesday, as he was cheered on by supporters during a ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey. Iverson signed a two-year, $4 million contract to play for the Turkish team Besiktas. He was to make his debut Friday night, but decided instead to sit it out and watch his new team from the stands because he “did not feel ready,” the team manager told the Associated Press.

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A.I. Welcomed in Turkey - Former NBA All-Star Allen Iverson was given a hero’s welcome Tuesday, as he was cheered on by supporters during a ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey. Iverson signed a two-year, $4 million contract to play for the Turkish team Besiktas. He was to make his debut Friday night, but decided instead to sit it out and watch his new team from the stands because he “did not feel ready,” the team manager told the Associated Press.

Slow Your Roll - In a closed door meeting last month, Republican leaders told RNC Chairman Michael Steele to stop interfering in policy, according to Politico. The GOP lawmakers were reportedly upset that Steele introduced a seniors’ “health care bill of rights” without first consulting with them.

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GOP Members Not Happy with Steele - Some Republicans are reportedly ready to give GOP Chairman Michael Steele the boot. They aren’t happy with the way Steele has been spending money, and believe that he should have spent more time trying to raise money than traveling across the nation attending rallies. Despite the party’s momentum this year, Democrats still raised about $15 million more and the Republican National Committee was $4.6 million in debt at the end of September.

Mumia Case Back in Court - On Tuesday, a Philadelphia federal appeals court heard arguments for and against its 2008 ruling to overturn the death sentence of ex-Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal. Abu-Jamal had been on death row since 1981 for the murder of a White policeman. But in 2008, it was commuted to life in prison due to procedural irregularities during his trial. He has always denied committing the crime and supporters believe his race had to do with his conviction.

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Mumia Case Back in Court - On Tuesday, a Philadelphia federal appeals court heard arguments for and against its 2008 ruling to overturn the death sentence of ex-Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal. Abu-Jamal had been on death row since 1981 for the murder of a White policeman. But in 2008, it was commuted to life in prison due to procedural irregularities during his trial. He has always denied committing the crime and supporters believe his race had to do with his conviction.

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Guard Accuses Mayweather of Assault - A Las Vegas security guard has accused boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. of assaulting him Monday evening, police say. The boxer allegedly poked him in the face several times over parking violations outside of his home. He could be prosecuted on misdemeanor battery charges over the incident, authorities say.

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Mayweather Issued Restraining Order - On Tuesday, boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. was ordered by a Las Vegas court to stay away from his ex-girlfriend and their two sons following an incident where, prosecutors say, he hit her and threatened to beat the kids if they called 911. Mayweather also allegedly took cell phones belonging to his ex and their sons after the Sept. 9 dispute. He currently faces felony coercion, grand larceny, robbery and misdemeanor domestic battery and harassment charges and could face up to 34 years in prison.

U.S. Aid Money Finally Headed to Haiti - More than seven months after it was originally promised, the U.S. government will soon transfer $120 million to the Haiti Reconstruction Fund to help the nation rebuild after January’s devastating quake, says a State Department spokesman. The money will go toward removing rubble, housing, budget support for Haiti’s government, plus more. The funds are part of a $1.15 billion pledge made by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in March; it was due before September but faced several delays.

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U.S. Aid Money Finally Headed to Haiti - More than seven months after it was originally promised, the U.S. government will soon transfer $120 million to the Haiti Reconstruction Fund to help the nation rebuild after January’s devastating quake, says a State Department spokesman. The money will go toward removing rubble, housing, budget support for Haiti’s government, plus more. The funds are part of a $1.15 billion pledge made by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in March; it was due before September but faced several delays.

Professor Beatz - New York University recently named rapper/producer Swizz Beatz as its first producer-in-residence at the school’s Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at the Tisch School of the Arts. During his appointment, which begins immediately, Beatz will lecture students, offer songwriting critiques and mentoring.

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Professor Beatz - New York University recently named rapper/producer Swizz Beatz as its first producer-in-residence at the school’s Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at the Tisch School of the Arts. During his appointment, which begins immediately, Beatz will lecture students, offer songwriting critiques and mentoring.

Bow Wow Lets it All Out on Twitter - Last weekend, rapper Bow Wow took to Twitter to release his flood of depressed feelings related to stardom. “I swear i be wishing I was dead sometimes. Because I feel like that’s the only way ill get peace,” he wrote. “I sacrificed my life for this Hip Hop s**t. I put my “REAL” life on hold. If i could do it over…. I wudda went to school. Got me a reg job.” Celeb friends Chris Brown and Soulja Boy reached out to him with words of encouragement.

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Bow Wow Lets it All Out on Twitter - Last weekend, rapper Bow Wow took to Twitter to release his flood of depressed feelings related to stardom. “I swear i be wishing I was dead sometimes. Because I feel like that’s the only way ill get peace,” he wrote. “I sacrificed my life for this Hip Hop s**t. I put my “REAL” life on hold. If i could do it over…. I wudda went to school. Got me a reg job.” Celeb friends Chris Brown and Soulja Boy reached out to him with words of encouragement.

Ex-Jodeci Singer Arrested - Former Jodeci singer DeVante Swing – real name Donald DeGrate Jr. – was arrested at a Subway restaurant in California on Sunday for public intoxication in an incident that was caught on tape. The singer was “sloppily crashing into tables and falling on the floor,” police said. Following his arrest, DeVante was held for six hours then released. No charges were filed.

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Ex-Jodeci Singer Arrested - Former Jodeci singer DeVante Swing – real name Donald DeGrate Jr. – was arrested at a Subway restaurant in California on Sunday for public intoxication in an incident that was caught on tape. The singer was “sloppily crashing into tables and falling on the floor,” police said. Following his arrest, DeVante was held for six hours then released. No charges were filed.

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Reggae Star Freed - Jamaican reggae singer Buju Banton was released from a Florida jail Wednesday to await a retrial on federal drug charges. Stephen Marley, son of Bob Marley, posted his home bond. Banton stands accused of trying to buy cocaine from an undercover officer and was held since last December. But after his trial in September, jurors couldn’t reach a verdict and the judge declared a mistrial.

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Reggae Star Freed - Jamaican reggae singer Buju Banton was released from a Florida jail Wednesday to await a retrial on federal drug charges. Stephen Marley, son of Bob Marley, posted his home bond. Banton stands accused of trying to buy cocaine from an undercover officer and was held since last December. But after his trial in September, jurors couldn’t reach a verdict and the judge declared a mistrial.

Whipped During Practice? - A videotape released Wednesday showing Mississippi high school basketball coach Marlon Dorsey whipping players with a belt during a practice for a mistake on the court, made headlines across the nation this week. Prior to the tape’s release, a group of parents banded together to sue the school district. On Thursday, officials at the Jackson school announced that Dorsey would be suspended “without pay or termination for violation of the corporal punishment policy.”

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Whipped During Practice? - A videotape released Wednesday showing Mississippi high school basketball coach Marlon Dorsey whipping players with a belt during a practice for a mistake on the court, made headlines across the nation this week. Prior to the tape’s release, a group of parents banded together to sue the school district. On Thursday, officials at the Jackson school announced that Dorsey would be suspended “without pay or termination for violation of the corporal punishment policy.”

Kanye West Cancels ‘Today’ Performance - In November, after getting upset with how his interview on the “Today Show” was handled, Kanye West cancelled a scheduled performance on the show. The rapper wasn’t happy when the show played the tape of his infamous Taylor Swift interruption at last year’s VMAs during his interview with Matt Lauer, and took to Twitter to air his frustration: “I don't mess with Matt Lauer or the Today Show ... and that's a very nice way for me to put it!”

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Kanye West Cancels ‘Today’ Performance - After getting upset earlier this week with how his interview on the “Today Show” was handled, Kanye West cancelled a scheduled performance on the show. The rapper wasn’t happy when the show played the tape of his infamous Taylor Swift interruption at last year’s VMAs during his interview, and took to Twitter to air his frustration: “I don't mess with Matt Lauer or the Today Show ... and that's a very nice way for me to put it!”