Bring That Week Back: Week of November 16
Oprah Winfrey announces end of the "Oprah Winfrey show. Daisy Bates' Little Rock home becomes a museum; a gay teen is raped and murdered in Baltimore; Snoop Dogg goes to wall street; a federal judge blames the Army for Katrina flood damage. Get all BET.com's biggest stories of the last week.
1 / 39
An Era Ends - Pass the Kleenex. Oprah Winfrey announces her powerhouse television franchise, “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” which is the core business of her multibillion-dollar media empire, will be no more. The lights will officially go off on the set on September 9, 2011 after 25 seasons of high ratings. Oprah made the announcement during her live Friday show.
2 / 39
Attorney General Holder: I'm Not Scared - U.S. Attorney General Holder went to Capitol Hill to defend the Obama administration’s decision to try 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in New York. “I am a prosecutor,” he said. “And, as a prosecutor, my top priority was simply to select the venue where the government will have the greatest opportunity to present the strongest case and the best law. We need not cower in the face of this enemy.”
3 / 39
Chicago School Chief Found Dead - Michael Scott, the City of Chicago School Board President, was found dead in the Chicago River. Police believe evidence that includes gunshot residue found on Scott's hands, points to an apparent suicide. He was 60 years old.
4 / 39
Snoop Rings New York Stock Exchange Bell - On Monday morning, L.A. rapper Snoop Dogg was in New York, ringing the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Snoop was on Wall Street to participate in the NYSE’s annual Mentoring Madness program. Snoop, who said he had many mentors as a kid and young man, said it was an honor to be involved in the program.
5 / 39
Iverson to N.Y.? - Allen Iverson, who threatened retirement unless he can land a starting job with an NBA team, may end up playing in the Big Apple. Iverson left the Memphis Grizzlies early this season and cannot be signed to another NBA team until Friday. Knicks officials have shown interest in the future Hall of Fame guard.
ADVERTISEMENT
6 / 39
Missing N.C. Girl Found Dead, Mother Charged - The body of a 5-year-old girl who police allege was sold for sex by her mother was discovered in a North Carolina forest. Despite a massive search, police were unable to save the life of the little girl. Police are charging her mother, 25-year-old Antoinette Davis, and another suspect with human trafficking, felony child abuse involving prostitution and filing a false police report. It is believed Davis sold her child to cover a drug debt.
7 / 39
Daisy Bates' Ark. Home Becomes Historical Museum - The home of the woman who played a major role in integrating schools in Little Rock, Ark., is now a museum. The L.C. and Daisy Bates Museum is open to the public as a tribute to the woman who advised and mentored young Black students who integrated two Little Rock high schools in the 1950s.
8 / 39
Rev. Jackson to Artur Davis: Not Black Enough - On Wednesday night, the Congressional Black Caucus organized a forum on race to honor Jesse Jackson’s historic run for president in 1984. However, the CBC did not expect the guest of honor to criticize one of its members, Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.). “We even have Blacks voting against the health care bill from Alabama,” Jackson said. “You can’t vote against health care and call yourself a Black man.”
9 / 39
Soldier Mom Refuses Deployment - Spc. Alexis Hutchinson may be in hot water with the U.S. Army for not honoring her deployment to Afghanistan, but she may have a valid reason: lack of child care. Hutchinson, 21, has no one available to care for her 10-month-old son. Hutchinson is staying on an army base in Georgia until the situation is resolved.
10 / 39
Black Caucus Holds Forum to Celebrate Jackson - To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Jesse Jackson's campaign for President, the Congressional Black Caucus honored the civil rights leader through a series of speeches and remembrances as well as a discussion on race at the U.S. House of Representatives.
ADVERTISEMENT
11 / 39
Obama Returns From Asia - President Obama returned from his trip to Asia where he met with leaders from China, Japan and South Korea to discuss the international economy and security concerns. The most controversial event during his trip was his bow of respect to the Emperor of Japan, which was viewed by many conservatives as a sign of “weakness.”
12 / 39
Public Enemy Helps the Homeless - Chuck D and Flavor Flav showed some love to the homeless by giving a concert to raise proceeds for the Sasha Bruce House, a homeless youth shelter in Washington, D.C. The two were joined by their Public Enemy group members for a tour of the facility and a pre-Thanksgiving dinner for homeless youths.
13 / 39
First Lady Visits Virginia Elementary School - Michelle Obama along with members of the Obama administration visited a Virginia elementary school to promote the Healthier U.S. Schools Initiative. The White House is encouraging children and parents to live healthier lifestyles.
14 / 39
NAACP to Obama: Where Are the Jobs? - The NAACP joined several other organizations in chiding President Obama about the lack of job creation from national stimulus programs. The national rate of African-American unemployment is currently more than 15 percent.
15 / 39
50 Cent Inks Movie Production Deal - Curtis Jackson wants to be a power player in the world of film. Through his Cheetah Vision Films company, 50 has teamed up with a Georgia businessman to produce five films in the next year. The first title, “The Gun,” is being filmed in Grand Rapids, Mich.
ADVERTISEMENT
16 / 39
50 Cent Inks Movie Production Deal - Curtis Jackson wants to be a power player in the world of film. Through his Cheetah Vision Films company, 50 has teamed up with a Georgia businessman to produce five films in the next year. The first title, “The Gun,” is being filmed in Grand Rapids, Mich.
17 / 39
Johnson Gets Second Chance in NFL - Talented yet troubled NFL player Larry Johnson has signed a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. Johnson was released from the Kansas City Chiefs after taking to Twitter to insult his coach using a gay slur. The running back has since apologized.
18 / 39
Kwame Kilpatrick’s First Interview in a Year - Disgraced former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick gave his first interview in a year to the Final Call to discuss his life after being removed from office and serving a three-month sentence for perjury. The interview covered various topics ranging from Barack Obama to Kilpatrick's future plans.
19 / 39
Former Jay-Z, Diddy Security Guard Killed in Brawl - Kevin White, a former security guard for Jay-Z, Diddy and Mariah Carey, was killed by New York City Police during a brawl at a club. Police say White was shot after refusing to put down his gun when police attempted to break up a brawl in a New York club. White was 43.
20 / 39
You Betcha': Palin Goes on Oprah - Conservative firebrand Sarah Palin visited Oprah Winfrey in an effort to promote her new book, “Going Rogue.” The pair discussed the 2008 campaign and Palin's future plans. Winfrey campaigned with Obama while Palin was the GOP nominee for Vice President.
ADVERTISEMENT
21 / 39
Paterson Blasts Obama Over Terrorist Trials - The terrorists responsible for 9/11 have no business facing trial in a New York courtroom, said New York Gov. David Paterson, who blasted the Obama administration for giving the terrorists the same legal protections as Americans. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder believes the terrorists need to have their day in court where the crime took place.
22 / 39
It's Official: Janet Jackson Says She's Single - During a radio interview, Janet Jackson confirmed that she is no longer dating Jermaine Dupri. Jackson said the two remain close friends, but her focus is on her career. Jackson also appeared in an intimate interview on ABC's "In the Spotlight with Robin Roberts," in which she discussed her career and her brother Michael.
23 / 39
Father of Jackson Accuser Commits Suicide - Evan Chandler, the father who claimed Michael Jackson molested his 13-year-old son during a visit to Neverland Ranch, has taken his own life. Chandler, a former Beverly Hills dentist who collected a $20 million settlement from Jackson to drop molestation charges, was found in his New Jersey home with a single gunshot wound to the head. He was 65.
24 / 39
Chris Brown Dating Again - Chris Brown is single and ready to mingle. In an interview on “The Wendy Williams Show,” Brown said he is remorseful about the past but is ready to move on and begin dating.
25 / 39
Whitney to Sell Mansion - Whitney Houston's New Jersey estate is on the market. The house carries a $2.5 million price tag, which is less than half of what the $5.6 million property is worth.
ADVERTISEMENT
26 / 39
Baltimore Gay Teen Found Dead, Raped - A memorial service was held for a 15-year-old boy who was found dead – raped, stabbed, gagged and left in a closet in Baltimore. Jason Mattison Jr. had been forced into a sexual relationship with a convicted murderer, Dante Parrish, 35, who was free on a technicality. Police say Parrish frequented the home of Mattison's aunt, where his body was found, and confessed to killing the popular openly gay teen last week.
27 / 39
Alicia Keys Performs on “Dancing with the Stars” - Alicia Keys moved the audience of “Dancing with the Stars” this week when she sang her latest release, “Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart” on the show. The piano-playing R&B singer’s appearance, part of ABC’s Music Lounge promotion, featured the second track released from her upcoming “The Element of Freedom” album.
28 / 39
Clinton's Surprise Afghanistan Trip - On an unannounced trip, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived in Afghanistan during the early hours of Wednesday morning. She went to the war-torn country to attend the inauguration of President Hamid Karzai. She also met with top U.S. commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal. Security has been tightened in capital city, Kabul.
29 / 39
Atlanta Mayoral Hopeful Gets Civil Rights Support - In a runoff scheduled for Dec. 1 with Mary Norwood, the woman who might become the first White mayor of Atlanta, Kasim Reed got a boost this week. Civil Rights icons Andrew Young and Rev. Joseph Lowery endorsed Reed for Mayor.
30 / 39
Heather Ellis Faces 15 Years in Prison - A young woman accused of “cutting” a line at Walmart and assaulting police officers in a small Missouri town could face up to 15 years in prison. A verdict is expected soon in the case of Heather Ellis, a 24-year-old teacher and medical school student who alleges racism, not a criminal act, is the cause of her predicament. Supporters of Ellis descended on Kennett, Mo., this week to protest the case.
ADVERTISEMENT
31 / 39
Mase to Drop Five Mixtapes - Freshly freed from Diddy, Mase is hard at work in the studio as he plans to drop five mixtapes in one day, according to published reports. The mixtapes will feature DJs from the U.S., Canada, London, Korea and China.
32 / 39
Boyz II Men Back With New Release - Boyz II Men will release their ninth album, “Love,” on Nov. 23. The album features covers of classic love songs including "Cupid" by Sam Cooke and "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper. The Grammy Award-winning group will soon embark on a tour of the UK and will also perform on the upcoming Soul Train Awards, which airs on BET and Centric on Sunday, November 29.
33 / 39
Ft. Hood Shooter Wanted Wife - An Imam who spoke with suspected Ft. Hood gunman Major Malik Nidal Hassan said he wanted advice on how to find a wife. The Imam said Hassan seemed to be planning a lifelong career in military service. The Pentagon has opened an investigation into Nidal's alleged mass murder.
34 / 39
Mammograms at 50? - A woman can wait until age 50 to have her first mammogram, according to a report by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The report suggests that women who start having mammogram testing too early may become victim of false-positive tests as well as needless biopsies. Several organizations, including the American Cancer Society, urge women to begin breast examinations at 40.
35 / 39
Senate Gets Ready for Health Care Debate - The Congressional Budget Office blessed the Senate Democrats’ version of the Health Care Bill Thursday when it confirmed the plan will hold down Federal costs for at least 10 years. It will also lead to a $130 billion reduction in the deficit during that time period. Now, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is ready to bring the bill to the floor for debate.
ADVERTISEMENT
36 / 39
Foreclosures Strike Blacks, Latinos Hardest - A national study indicates that Blacks and Latinos are disproportionately impacted by the housing and foreclosure crisis. The report released by the William C. Velasquez Institute says the two groups are “two-to-nine times more likely than White homeowners in high foreclosure regions like California, Nevada, and Florida to hold high-cost mortgage loans, putting them at greater risk of default and foreclosure.”
37 / 39
Judge: Army to Blame - A federal judge ruled Wednesday that mismanagement of Gulf Coast levees by the Army Corps of Engineers’ was directly responsible for flood damage to homes in St. Bernard Parish and the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, According to BET.com’s “Pamela on Politics” blog The ruling could pave the way for residents of the area devastated by Hurricane Katrina to seek damages from the government totaling millions of dollars.
38 / 39
Oprah Apologizes - Oprah Winfrey apologized to actress Robin Givens, the spokeswoman for the National Domestic Violence Hotline, for not responding to comments her ex-husband Mike Tyson made during an interview on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Winfrey admitted she should have handled the interview - in which Tyson mentioned wanting to “sock” Givens during their marriage - differently and apologized to all women who experience domestic violence. Givens accepted the apology “from the bottom of her heart.”