Bring That Week Back: Week of May 31, 2009

Check out this week's biggest stories in pictures!

Baby Thrown - Police have charged a woman who they say used a child car seat with a 2-month-old infant inside to hit a Wal-Mart employee. Authorities say Camilla Fields of Memphis, Tenn., threw the seat and ran away after she was confronted by a security guard about shoplifting. The baby landed face down on the pavement.  A paramedic treated the baby until the child regained consciousness.  Fields was charged with felony child abuse and neglect and assault.

1 / 29

Baby Thrown - Police have charged a woman who they say used a child car seat with a 2-month-old infant inside to hit a Wal-Mart employee. Authorities say Camilla Fields of Memphis, Tenn., threw the seat and ran away after she was confronted by a security guard about shoplifting. The baby landed face down on the pavement. A paramedic treated the baby until the child regained consciousness. Fields was charged with felony child abuse and neglect and assault.

No Charges - Two White men accused of killing a Black man in a racially-charged dragging death in East Texas were released from jail Thursday after murder charges were dismissed, the prosecutor said. The two men, Shannon Finley and Charles Crostley, had been charged with fatally striking 24-year-old Brandon McClelland with a pickup truck in September following the trio's late-night beer run to Oklahoma.

2 / 29

No Charges - Two White men accused of killing a Black man in a racially-charged dragging death in East Texas were released from jail Thursday after murder charges were dismissed, the prosecutor said. The two men, Shannon Finley and Charles Crostley, had been charged with fatally striking 24-year-old Brandon McClelland with a pickup truck in September following the trio's late-night beer run to Oklahoma.

Son Arrested - Stevie Wonder's son Keita Morris was arrested by Los Angeles police early Monday on charges of felony domestic violence.  According to TMZ.com, a 911 call was made by an unidentified woman claiming a verbal argument she was having with Morris had gotten violent.  Morris was held on $50,000 bond, which he posted later Monday morning.

3 / 29

Son Arrested - Stevie Wonder's son Keita Morris was arrested by Los Angeles police early Monday on charges of felony domestic violence. According to TMZ.com, a 911 call was made by an unidentified woman claiming a verbal argument she was having with Morris had gotten violent. Morris was held on $50,000 bond, which he posted later Monday morning.

It's Settled - Brandy is breaking out her checkbook to put the worst day of her life behind her. The singer reached a settlement in the wrongful-death lawsuit brought on behalf of the children of the woman killed in a December 2006 multi-car collision involving the former “Moesha” star. According to settlement documents obtained by E! News, the kids—Mrwan and Kareem Mohamed—will each receive $300,000.

4 / 29

It's Settled - Brandy is breaking out her checkbook to put the worst day of her life behind her. The singer reached a settlement in the wrongful-death lawsuit brought on behalf of the children of the woman killed in a December 2006 multi-car collision involving the former “Moesha” star. According to settlement documents obtained by E! News, the kids—Mrwan and Kareem Mohamed—will each receive $300,000.

Mom Charged - Authorities in Fayetteville, N.C. arrested 33-year-old Nia Michelle Brooks and charged her with burning her handicapped daughter with a hot iron. According to ABC 11 Eyewitness News in Raleigh, N.C., the 11-year-old girl told investigators it happened because she wasn’t ironing her Easter dress the way her mother wanted.  Brooks was placed in the Cumberland County Detention Center under a $100,000 secured bond.

5 / 29

Mom Charged - Authorities in Fayetteville, N.C. arrested 33-year-old Nia Michelle Brooks and charged her with burning her handicapped daughter with a hot iron. According to ABC 11 Eyewitness News in Raleigh, N.C., the 11-year-old girl told investigators it happened because she wasn’t ironing her Easter dress the way her mother wanted. Brooks was placed in the Cumberland County Detention Center under a $100,000 secured bond.

ADVERTISEMENT
Military Murder - Police arrested a 24-year-old African-American convert to Islam Monday in connection with the shooting death of one soldier and wounding of another at an Arkansas military recruiting center. Authorities say  Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad, whose birth name is Carlos Bledsoe, is looking at charges of first-degree murder and 15 counts of engaging in a terrorist act.

6 / 29

Military Murder - Police arrested a 24-year-old African-American convert to Islam Monday in connection with the shooting death of one soldier and wounding of another at an Arkansas military recruiting center. Authorities say Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad, whose birth name is Carlos Bledsoe, is looking at charges of first-degree murder and 15 counts of engaging in a terrorist act.

Killed in Crash - George Edwards, who transformed the Prairie View A&M University marching band into a world-renowned music machine and as well as a close-knit family, died Thursday from injuries sustained in a car accident last month. He was 60.

7 / 29

Killed in Crash - George Edwards, who transformed the Prairie View A&M University marching band into a world-renowned music machine and as well as a close-knit family, died Thursday from injuries sustained in a car accident last month. He was 60.

On The Hill - Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), who also serves as the House Ways and Means chairman, lashed out against the U.S. Senate Sunday during a “Meet the Press” discussion on health care reform. “I don’t know what can prevail in the Senate. All I know is this: that people are trying to use hatred as a substitute for discussion…when people are paid to work up town hall meetings it’s clear they’re not looking for solutions; they’re looking for a political out of the serious questions."

8 / 29

‘Sorry’ Charlie - Manhattan Democrat Charlie Rangel says he’s sorry for the comments he made recently that Harlem is so unsafe these days that even the highly-protected president of the United States would run into trouble with New York’s finest if he didn’t have his ID with him. He made the statement following the fatal shooting of a Black police officer by a White fellow officer last week.

Sharpton Dared - A controversial Arizona sheriff says he dares the Rev. Al Sharpton to visit his town to protest policies against inmates and undocumented workers. Some months ago, Sharpton threatened to march on Phoenix unless Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio resigned. Sharpton has been an outspoken critic of what he says is Arpaio’s penchant for detaining even legal Mexican immigrants and embarrassing and dehumanizing those held in his jail.

9 / 29

Sharpton Dared - A controversial Arizona sheriff says he dares the Rev. Al Sharpton to visit his town to protest policies against inmates and undocumented workers. Some months ago, Sharpton threatened to march on Phoenix unless Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio resigned. Sharpton has been an outspoken critic of what he says is Arpaio’s penchant for detaining even legal Mexican immigrants and embarrassing and dehumanizing those held in his jail.

Date Night Blasted - Before the Obamas could leave D.C., their Big Apple date night drew criticism from Republicans who questioned the president's decision to travel for a night of entertainment during a recession and while automakers struggle to survive.  The Republicans issued a news release chastising Obama for saying he understands American's troubles, but then hopping up to New York for "a night on the town."

10 / 29

Date Night Blasted - Before the Obamas could leave D.C., their Big Apple date night drew criticism from Republicans who questioned the president's decision to travel for a night of entertainment during a recession and while automakers struggle to survive. The Republicans issued a news release chastising Obama for saying he understands American's troubles, but then hopping up to New York for "a night on the town."

ADVERTISEMENT
Kanye’s Porsche Stolen, Crashed - Kanye West’s Porsche Panamera was stolen and crashed into a multi-million-dollar house in Hawaii early Saturday morning. The star, who has been in the state working on his latest project, was actually traveling and had left the car with his cousin, the New York Daily News reports. Thieves stole and crashed the car shortly afterward, wrecking the vehicle. Three men were seen running from the car after the accident, neighbors said.

11 / 29

Pink Blasts Kanye - Singer Pink reportedly called Kanye West an "idiot" and a "waste of skin" for his views on fur. Pink says she was at Stella McCartney's Paris fashion show in January alongside West, the vice-president of PETA and Paul McCartney, when the rapper started complaining that more of the clothes needed fur. Pink, who is a supporter of PETA, was outraged at his comments and said, "I should wear him." Kanye has yet to respond to Pink's tirade.

No 'Vogue' Cover? - Star magazine reports that Rihanna can forget about gracing the cover of Vogue after nude shots of her leaked on the Web.  The magazine reports that Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour really wanted to work with the pop star, but according to a close friend of RiRi's, once the photos came out, Wintour hasn’t returned any of Rihanna's calls.  Rihanna is set to appear at a hearing next month as a possible witness in the assault case against Chris Brown.

12 / 29

No 'Vogue' Cover? - Star magazine reports that Rihanna can forget about gracing the cover of Vogue after nude shots of her leaked on the Web. The magazine reports that Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour really wanted to work with the pop star, but according to a close friend of RiRi's, once the photos came out, Wintour hasn’t returned any of Rihanna's calls. Rihanna is set to appear at a hearing next month as a possible witness in the assault case against Chris Brown.

Biggest Hit? - Meanwhile, Brown is slowly but surely trying to pop-lock his way back into the limelight. According to songwriter Robert Allen, who is working with Brown, Brown predicts the new album, tentatively titled "Graffiti," will be the biggest hit of his career. Allen says, "Chris is trying different things and experimenting...The direction of this album is really fun and free spirited. It’s like a collage.”

13 / 29

Biggest Hit? - Meanwhile, Brown is slowly but surely trying to pop-lock his way back into the limelight. According to songwriter Robert Allen, who is working with Brown, Brown predicts the new album, tentatively titled "Graffiti," will be the biggest hit of his career. Allen says, "Chris is trying different things and experimenting...The direction of this album is really fun and free spirited. It’s like a collage.”

Whitney's New Album - Whitney Houston's long-awaited comeback album will hit stores on Sept. 1. The record - which is rumored to be titled “Undefeated” - will be the 45-year-old singer's first release in seven years. In February, Whitney made her long-awaited stage comeback at Clive Davis' pre-Grammy Awards party.  Her performance, which featured several of her classic hits, including “I'm Every Woman” and “I Will Always Love You,” was lauded by partygoers.

14 / 29

Whitney's New Album - Whitney Houston's long-awaited comeback album will hit stores on Sept. 1. The record - which is rumored to be titled “Undefeated” - will be the 45-year-old singer's first release in seven years. In February, Whitney made her long-awaited stage comeback at Clive Davis' pre-Grammy Awards party. Her performance, which featured several of her classic hits, including “I'm Every Woman” and “I Will Always Love You,” was lauded by partygoers.

Birth of Son - Bobby Brown has become a father for the fifth time.  The 40-year-old R&B star was performing at a New York nightclub when he told the crowd that his girlfriend/manager, Alicia Etheridge, had given birth to their son, Cassius.  Brown has a 16-year-old daughter, Bobbi, with ex-wife Whitney Houston, and three other children from previous relationships: Landon, 23, LaPrincia, 19, and Bobby Brown Jr., 17.

15 / 29

Birth of Son - Bobby Brown has become a father for the fifth time. The 40-year-old R&B star was performing at a New York nightclub when he told the crowd that his girlfriend/manager, Alicia Etheridge, had given birth to their son, Cassius. Brown has a 16-year-old daughter, Bobbi, with ex-wife Whitney Houston, and three other children from previous relationships: Landon, 23, LaPrincia, 19, and Bobby Brown Jr., 17.

ADVERTISEMENT
Seven Months? - A source tells the Chicago Sun-Times that Jennifer Hudson had a baby shower this past Saturday to celebrate her pregnancy.  The source told the paper that Hudson is seven months pregnant. The shower was largely attended by family members, the source said.

16 / 29

Seven Months? - A source tells the Chicago Sun-Times that Jennifer Hudson had a baby shower this past Saturday to celebrate her pregnancy. The source told the paper that Hudson is seven months pregnant. The shower was largely attended by family members, the source said.

It’s a Boy! - Kimora Lee Simmons and Djimon Hounsou are the proud parents of a little boy. It’s the third child for Kimora and the first for Djimon. No name has been revealed yet.

17 / 29

It’s a Boy! - Kimora Lee Simmons and Djimon Hounsou are the proud parents of a little boy. It’s the third child for Kimora and the first for Djimon. No name has been revealed yet.

Hair Check - President Obama's hair got a pint-sized inspection this week.  The youngster, who was granted a visit to the White House, wanted to see if the President's hair felt like his own.  The president granted the boy's wishes and let him feel it for himself.  Priceless.

18 / 29

Hair Check - President Obama's hair got a pint-sized inspection this week. The youngster, who was granted a visit to the White House, wanted to see if the President's hair felt like his own. The president granted the boy's wishes and let him feel it for himself. Priceless.

'Frankie & Neffe' - Leaving the love nest that is “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is,” outspoken family members Frankie and Neffe are gearing up to embark on their own reality excursion, titled “Frankie & Neffe.”  The show will air on BET beginning Aug. 25 at 10 p.m./9C.

19 / 29

'Frankie & Neffe' - Leaving the love nest that is “Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is,” outspoken family members Frankie and Neffe are gearing up to embark on their own reality excursion, titled “Frankie & Neffe.” The show will air on BET beginning Aug. 25 at 10 p.m./9C.

'Wendy' on BET - BET Networks has acquired "The Wendy Williams Show," and it will begin airing Monday, July 13, when the talk show debuts in national syndication. "BET is a great cable network that will expand this proven performer's reach to an entirely new audience, enhancing our already strong lineup of stations," Debmar-Mercury Co-Presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein said.

20 / 29

'Wendy' on BET - BET Networks has acquired "The Wendy Williams Show," and it will begin airing Monday, July 13, when the talk show debuts in national syndication. "BET is a great cable network that will expand this proven performer's reach to an entirely new audience, enhancing our already strong lineup of stations," Debmar-Mercury Co-Presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein said.

ADVERTISEMENT
It's Hammer Time - It's "Hammertime" – on A&E.  The network confirmed that the rapper-turned-businessman is getting a half-hour, reality series.  The series, which follows the everyday lives of Hammer, his wife,  Stephanie, and their six kids, premieres on June 14 at 10 p.m./9C.

21 / 29

It's Hammer Time - It's "Hammertime" – on A&E. The network confirmed that the rapper-turned-businessman is getting a half-hour, reality series. The series, which follows the everyday lives of Hammer, his wife, Stephanie, and their six kids, premieres on June 14 at 10 p.m./9C.

Welcome to Dreamland - BET premiered a new show this week in which top music producers, Jazze Pha and Drumma Boy, compete to find the next big female songstress. Each producer works with four girls and hopes that one from his team will be the last one standing. The winner hopes to become the next Beyoncé or Ciara. Tune in Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m./9:30C to find out which producer will help one girl’s dream come true.

22 / 29

Welcome to Dreamland - BET premiered a new show this week in which top music producers, Jazze Pha and Drumma Boy, compete to find the next big female songstress. Each producer works with four girls and hopes that one from his team will be the last one standing. The winner hopes to become the next Beyoncé or Ciara. Tune in Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m./9:30C to find out which producer will help one girl’s dream come true.

September 'Memoirs' - Already working with everyone from Jermaine Dupri to The-Dream, Mariah Carey is set to drop her new album in September, according to select online retailers.  Titled "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel," the CD is said to be a collection of relatable stories that Mariah says are "for everybody but in a lot of ways are very (related to the) woman empowerment movement."

23 / 29

September 'Memoirs' - Already working with everyone from Jermaine Dupri to The-Dream, Mariah Carey is set to drop her new album in September, according to select online retailers. Titled "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel," the CD is said to be a collection of relatable stories that Mariah says are "for everybody but in a lot of ways are very (related to the) woman empowerment movement."

Chancellor Choice - For the first time, the University of Kansas has appointed a woman and an African American as chancellor. Bernadette Gray-Little, who was among three finalists as late as Friday, has previously served as executive vice chancellor and provost at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

24 / 29

Chancellor Choice - For the first time, the University of Kansas has appointed a woman and an African American as chancellor. Bernadette Gray-Little, who was among three finalists as late as Friday, has previously served as executive vice chancellor and provost at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Downfall of an Icon? - The U.S. government officially got into the auto business Monday.  General Motors, the century-old auto-manufacturing behemoth, filed for bankruptcy protection in an unprecedented agreement that would spare the company, but give the federal government amazing new powers over a major corporation.  The U.S. government plans to inject a staggering $30 billion into the floundering firm, giving American taxpayers a 60-percent stake in GM.

25 / 29

Downfall of an Icon? - The U.S. government officially got into the auto business Monday. General Motors, the century-old auto-manufacturing behemoth, filed for bankruptcy protection in an unprecedented agreement that would spare the company, but give the federal government amazing new powers over a major corporation. The U.S. government plans to inject a staggering $30 billion into the floundering firm, giving American taxpayers a 60-percent stake in GM.

ADVERTISEMENT
Sold - Meanwhile, the company struck a deal Tuesday with a Chinese industrial company for its gas-guzzling  Hummer unit.  The buyer was identified as Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company Ltd. General Motors did not reveal its selling price, saying only that the deal would close by the end of September.

26 / 29

Sold - Meanwhile, the company struck a deal Tuesday with a Chinese industrial company for its gas-guzzling Hummer unit. The buyer was identified as Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company Ltd. General Motors did not reveal its selling price, saying only that the deal would close by the end of September.

Jobs and Justice - Just hours after General Motors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the Rev. Jesse Jackson led a rally of more than 1,000 people at Michigan's state Capitol Monday, demanding that the government and industry join forces to save jobs for U.S. auto workers and that laws be enacted to stop the avalanche of home foreclosures. “We demand better,” the civil rights icon said at the gathering. “We demand an even playing field.”

27 / 29

Jobs and Justice - Just hours after General Motors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the Rev. Jesse Jackson led a rally of more than 1,000 people at Michigan's state Capitol Monday, demanding that the government and industry join forces to save jobs for U.S. auto workers and that laws be enacted to stop the avalanche of home foreclosures. “We demand better,” the civil rights icon said at the gathering. “We demand an even playing field.”

Expanding Clothing Line - According to Allhiphop.com, Jay-Z and partnering company Iconix China have secured an expansion deal to bring the Rocawear brand to China by Spring 2010.  Additionally, the company has forecasted a timetable to break ground on over 300 Rocawear stores throughout Greater China by 2012.

28 / 29

Expanding Clothing Line - According to Allhiphop.com, Jay-Z and partnering company Iconix China have secured an expansion deal to bring the Rocawear brand to China by Spring 2010. Additionally, the company has forecasted a timetable to break ground on over 300 Rocawear stores throughout Greater China by 2012.

Brown's Take on Oprah - Brown tells People magazine that he wishes Oprah Winfrey had reached out to both him and Rihanna. He says while he commends Winfrey for recognizing that violence against women is a problem, he says the episode of her show was "a slap" in his face. He says he did "a lot of stuff for her, like going to Africa and performing for her school." Winfrey responded through TMZ.com that while she appreciates what Brown did for her school, she takes "domestic abuse very seriously."

29 / 29

O Dethroned - Angelina Jolie has dethroned Oprah as the world's most powerful celebrity, according to Forbes. The actress grabbed the No. 1 spot from the talk show queen on the magazine's annual Celebrity 100 list, which ranks the rich and famous based on media exposure and career earnings over the past year. At No. 2, Winfrey is still the highest earner — $275 million. Madonna came in third, trailed by Beyoncé and Tiger Woods.