Bring That Week Back: Week of October 11
Jay and B get ready to take the “World” stage. Get that and all this week’s top stories.
1 / 29
Baltimore Mayor Faces Two Felony Trials - Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon is fighting for her political career and freedom as she must face two separate felonies for allegedly stealing gift cards donated by charities and corporations to assist the poor, and perjury for not reporting gifts she received from a city developer. Dixon’s lawyers said she will appeal to have perjury charges stemming from her not disclosing gifts she received from her boyfriend, a developer, who was awarded city contracts.
2 / 29
He's Back! - After a lull following February’s domestic incident with Rihanna, Chris Brown is coming back strong with two songs topping the iTunes download charts. “I Can Transform Ya,” featuring Lil Wayne and Swizz Beats is high on the urban charts, while “Forever”(the song featured on a popular YouTube wedding video) is up on the download charts as well.
3 / 29
Obama Swastika Found on Golf Course - Employees of the Lakeville Country Club in suburban Boston arrived at work to discover a Nazi swastika carved into the greens with President Obama's name on it. The U.S. Secret Service along with Boston area police are investigating.
4 / 29
Health Care Moves On - The efforts to provide health care coverage for every American gained momentum as Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) joined Democrats on the U.S. Senate Finance Committee to support the health care bill. The approved language in legislation geared toward helping the poor gain health care access and employers to provide coverage for their employees. The Health Care Bill is expected to be debated by Congress on Oct. 26.
5 / 29
VH1 Hip Hop Honors - The annual VH1 Hip Hop Honors celebrated the 25-year legacy of Def Jam Records. Mary J. Blige, Method Man, DMX, Eminem, Ja Rule and Ashanti were among the performers at the event hosted by comedian Tracy Morgan.
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6 / 29
Nobel Prize Committee Defends Obama Decision - Citing President Obama’s efforts to “reach out to the Muslim world,” members of the Nobel Peace Prize committee defended their decision to name President Obama the Nobel Prize Winner for Peace. Some argued Obama has no accomplishments to warrant the award.
7 / 29
Navy Honors Civil Rights Hero - Medgar Evers, a civil rights hero who was killed while registering Black voters in Mississippi in the 1960s, will have his name and legacy remembered by the U.S. Navy with a new supply ship named in his honor. Evers’ death is viewed by many as the tipping point that prompted President Kennedy to pursue a civil rights bill to push Washington for equality in law.
8 / 29
Pay Up - Rapper Busta Rhymes has to fork over $75,000 to concertgoer Alex Duncan after he and his security allegedly assaulted him in 2003. Not only was Duncan severely injured during the fight, he says he also suffers nightmares and other psychological problems stemming from the incident. The amount awarded was only a portion for the $500,000 he was suing for.
9 / 29
White House Calls Out Fox News - White House Communications Director Anita Dunn called Fox News a ‘wing of the Republican Party’ for its slanted coverage of the Obama administration and its policies, particularly from commentators Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity. Fox News denies Dunn's claims and calls its coverage “fair and balanced.”
10 / 29
Beyoncé and Jay-Z to Perform at World Cup - Mr. and Mrs. Carter will perform in South Africa next summer for the 2010 World Cup Soccer Championship. The couple will join performers from all over the world in an effort to use music and sports to bring people closer. The concert is scheduled for June 10.
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11 / 29
BET Hip-Hop Awards Highlights - The stars of hip-hop gathered in Atlanta for the BET Hip-Hop Awards. The show, which will be seen on Oct 27 at 8 p.m./7C on BET, features performances from Young Jeezy, Snoop Dogg, Wale, Gucci Mane and Goodie Mob to name a few. The event was hosted by Mike Epps, however we are hearing that BET star Frankie (“Frankie & Neffe”) stole the show as the red carpet correspondent.
12 / 29
Beyoncé and Lady Gaga Team Up - Beyoncé and Lady Gaga are working together to film a video for B's song, “Video Phone.” It is reported that the video is extremely fashion-forward with both ladies wearing daring outfits. Extra measures are being taken to make sure details don't leak.
13 / 29
Governator Signs Donda West Law - Doctors must perform a mandatory health check before performing any cosmetic surgery in California thanks to the ‘Donda West Law’ signed into effect by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Named after the mother of music superstar Kanye West, the law makes sure doctors check patients’ health records and current conditions before beginning cosmetic surgery. West died during complications caused by cosmetic surgery.
14 / 29
Obamas Host Fiesta Latina - Mexican, Cuban and Puerto Rican music were celebrated on the South Lawn of the White House as part of a celebration of the music of the world. The event was hosted by Latino-American stars including George Lopez, Eva Longoria and Jimmy Smits.
15 / 29
Serena Williams Faces Possible Suspension - Serena Williams may be barred from the Australian Open as punishment for her run-in with an official at the U.S. Open Championship. She was already fined $10,000 for the incident. Williams is ranked as the top player in tennis.
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16 / 29
Master P to Give Back During Holidays - Master P joins forces with OneMillionGifts.org to provide food and presents to needy families for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Master P, whose real name is Percy Miller, said his motivation for working with the organization is his own experiences with poverty.
17 / 29
Toni Braxton Faces Foreclosure - The downturn in the economy has impacted one of the biggest R&B stars of the ‘90s. Toni Braxton is behind on her mortgage payments upwards of $12,000. She also has defaulted on a loan of $900,000.
18 / 29
Model, Fashion Mag Catch Heat for Blackface Shoot - French Vogue is feeling some heat after releasing images from a photo shoot with supermodel Lara Stone in blackface. Many African Americans view blackface as racist since historically many White actors have worn black makeup to portray African Americans on stage and in film.
19 / 29
Are the Odoms Having Trouble Already? - Rumors circulated that newlyweds Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian are having issues pertaining to their prenuptial agreement. The two reportedly can't seem to agree on the terms of the agreement. Too bad it wasn't worked out before the wedding.
20 / 29
Serving Life - Carla Hughes will spend the rest of her life in a Mississippi prison after being convicted of murdering her lover's pregnant fiancée. Hughes, 28, was a middle school teacher having an affair with fellow teacher Keyon Pittman, who was engaged to Avis Banks. Hughes confronted Banks at her home, shot the pregnant woman four times and stabbed her body with a knife. Hughes was facing the death penalty, but the jury spared her life.
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21 / 29
Soulja Boy Arrested - Days before his performance on the BET Hip-Hop Awards, Soulja Boy found himself in trouble with the law. The rapper was arrested for fleeing police after officers were called to an abandon house that was the backdrop for a video shoot. Soulja Boy, also known as DeAndre Cortez Way, was released after posting $550 bond.
22 / 29
Oprah Sued in Sex Plane Lawsuit - Media mogul Oprah Winfrey is being sued by a former flight attendant for wrongful termination. Corrine Gehrls said she was fired after being accused of having sex with the pilot of Winfrey's private plane while in the air. She is seeking $75,000 in damages.
23 / 29
Man Cleared After Wrongful Conviction Overturned - Edwin Chandler, 37, who spent nine years in a Kentucky prison and the past seven years under paroled supervision, has his name cleared after a judge overturned his conviction. Chandler was accused of murdering a convenience store clerk in 1993. Police found fingerprint evidence on the scene and a witness who reported seeing another man at the scene.
24 / 29
Good Hair Hits Theaters and Courts - “Good Hair,” Chris Rock's documentary on the multi-billion dollar hair care industry, hit theaters in several cities last week. A lawsuit was filed by independent filmmaker Regina Kimbell accusing Rock of stealing the concept from her film, “Nappy Roots.” Kimbell is suing for $5 million in damages and requested an injunction against Rock's national release on Oct 22.
25 / 29
Death of 15-year-old by Police Shakes Up Town - Community leaders in Champaign, Ill., are demanding answers after police killed 15-year-old Kiwane Carrington during a scuffle. Police were called to a house where Carrington was staying after a neighbor reported an intruder. Police said an officer fired his weapon in defense. The Illinois State Police is investigating.
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