Bring That Week Back: Week of July 19

Could Reggie Bush lose his Heisman? Plus Lil' Kim fires shots at other female MCs. More!

Ice-T - I’d like to get Chris Rock or maybe Kat Williams or somebody on. We usually use rappers, but we don’t put on comedians. Anthony Anderson [star of Law & Order] was a comedian and I like when you take the comedians and let them go — like David Alan Grier just came on.

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Ice-T Arrested in NY - Rapper/actor Ice-T was arrested Tuesday morning in New York City for driving his ’09 Cadillac with expired insurance, police say. The “Law & Order” star was originally pulled over for not wearing his seatbelt, when cops learned that he didn’t have up-to-date insurance after investigating. He was released from the precinct soon after his arrest and later lashed out on Twitter. “Some punk b***h rookie cop made the arrest of his bulls**t career today arresting the Notorious Ice T for no seatbelt."

Drake Wants to Play Obama - Rapper Drake, who got his showbiz start as an actor, is interested in playing President Obama in a biopic. “Any time I see him on TV, I don’t change the channel. I definitely pay attention and listen to the inflections of his voice,” he told Paper magazine. “If you ask anyone who knows me, I’m pretty good at impressions …” The Toronto rapper had a recurring role on the TV show, “Degrassi: The Next Generation.”

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Drake Wants to Play Obama - Rapper Drake, who got his showbiz start as an actor, is interested in playing President Obama in a biopic. “Any time I see him on TV, I don’t change the channel. I definitely pay attention and listen to the inflections of his voice,” he told Paper magazine. “If you ask anyone who knows me, I’m pretty good at impressions …” The Toronto rapper had a recurring role on the TV show, “Degrassi: The Next Generation.”

Ludacris (@ludajuice) - Luda’s seen some interesting things while touring with the Black Eyed Peas. But what he saw on Fergie’s birthday topped it all. “It's Fergie's birthday today on the tour. Why the hell does she have a petting zoo backstage? I can't even be mad. Denver Colorado get ready.”

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Ludacris Raises Millions for Diabetes - Ludacris was honored on Sunday for his charity work during a diabetes fundraiser in L.A. The rapper, along with singer Ray J, accepted the Developing Options Humanitarian Award for work supporting youth. The Developing Options charity helps out young people who have the condition. Ludacris later thanked fans via Twitter saying, “We just raised A LOT of $ for diabetes tonight. Thank everyone who came out tonight at Nokia Live in L.A. to support a very worthy cause."

Quote Monster - Wayne's quotes are like stray bullets: they can go in any direction. From radio to TV to magazine interviews, Dwayne Carter's tongue is a deadly weapon.

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Lil Wayne Blogs on LeBron - While serving time in a New York prison, Lil Wayne took time out to blog about the recent key NBA moves –mainly LeBron James’ relocation to Miami to team up with superstars Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. “Oh LeBron! The recent move by the Miami Heat confirms that we will someday soon have that good ole basketball back,” the rapper wrote in a blog posted on his Web site, WeezyThanxYou.com. "Anything less than an NBA championship title will be uncivilized.”

Deep in Debt - While Lil’ Kim was spitting rhymes on "All About The Benjamins" in the ‘90s, sources say the 'Dancing With The Stars' contestant is $900,000 deep in tax debt. In a statement released Monday, Lil’ Kim's publicist said, "Ms. Jones has been paying off her tax debt and will continue to do so."

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Lil Kim Disses Minaj, Foxy Brown - In a recent interview with AOL Black Voices' Karu Daniels , rapper Lil Kim fired more shots at fellow female MCs Nicki Minaj and Foxy Brown. About Brown: “I don’t even want to mention her. One moment she got something bad to say about me, one moment she got something good to say.” She went on declare war on Minaj, Cash Money (for not putting out a record featuring her and Minaj last year) and others she believes have done her wrong.

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Record Breaking - Beyonce set a new record by winning the most Grammys by a female artist in a single night. A 10-time nominee this year, Bey took home awards for Song of the Year, Best Female R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for "Single Ladies," Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Halo," Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for "At Last" and Best Contemporary R&B Album for "I Am Sasha Fierce."

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Beyoncé, Jay-Z Earn Spots on Forbes List - Late last week, Forbes released its newest list of the highest earning musicians of the past year. Beyoncé was ranked above her husband at No. 3 by earning $87 million in the past year (June 2009-10) from her tour, endorsements and fashion line. Jay-Z came in at No. 6, earning $63 million through his album release and tour. Rockers U2 topped the list with $130 million in earnings and AC/DC came in at No.2 with $114 million earned.

Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz Get a Blessing - Rap producer Swizz Beatz and his pregnant fiancée Alicia Keys got a traditional Zulu blessing during a ceremony while they were in South Africa. During an interview this week, Beatz revealed that the two were doing an event under a special tree where abused kids come to get healing. “It turned into this ceremony that I didn’t know about. I felt like I was on “Punk’d” or something! But, yes we had a special blessing,” he said. Keys and the unborn baby were given Zulu names during the ritual.

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Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz Weekend Wedding? - Despite reports from various sources earlier this week, producer Swizz Beatz denies he and pregnant fiancée Alicia Keys are tying the knot this weekend. “The wedding is not this week,” he told PEOPLE Magazine on Wednesday. According to rumors, the two were getting married this weekend aboard a private yacht. Not so, says Beatz. “Man, who’s paying for that?” he joked. He also shut down rumors that he will be managing Keys (who left her longtime manager late last week).

Woods, Bryant are America’s Favorites - Despite his recent well-documented troubles, golfer Tiger Woods still sits atop the list of America’s favorite sports stars, according to a yearly poll conducted by Harris Interactive. However, Lakers star and Finals MVP Kobe Bryant is sharing the honor with Woods, as he jumped from No. 4 last year to No. 1 this year. Woods had held the top spot alone since 2006. LeBron James dropped from third to sixth (the survey, conducted between June 14-21, was before his move to Miami).

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Woods, Bryant are America’s Favorites - Despite his recent well-documented troubles, golfer Tiger Woods still sits atop the list of America’s favorite sports stars, according to a yearly poll conducted by Harris Interactive. However, Lakers star and Finals MVP Kobe Bryant is sharing the honor with Woods, as he jumped from No. 4 last year to No. 1 this year. Woods had held the top spot alone since 2006. LeBron James dropped from third to sixth (the survey, conducted between June 14-21, was before his move to Miami).

Vonetta McGee Dies - Blaxploitation actress Vonetta McGee passed away last Friday at Berkeley Hospital in California. She was 65. McGee, who co-starred in 1970s movies such as “Blacula,” “Hammer” and “Shaft in Africa,” had been on life support for two days after going into cardiac arrest. McGee didn't like the term "blaxploitation," telling the Los Angeles Times that it had racist overtones. McGee made several other movies, and in the 1980s turned mainly to television.

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Vonetta McGee Dies - Blaxploitation actress Vonetta McGee passed away last Friday at Berkeley Hospital in California. She was 65. McGee, who co-starred in 1970s movies such as “Blacula,” “Hammer” and “Shaft in Africa,” had been on life support for two days after going into cardiac arrest. McGee didn't like the term "blaxploitation," telling the Los Angeles Times that it had racist overtones. McGee made several other movies, and in the 1980s turned mainly to television.

Surprise Candidate Gives First Speech - Unemployed military veteran, Alvin Greene, who shocked South Carolina and the nation with his upset win in the U.S. Senate Democratic Primary, gave his first public speech Sunday. Greene has been awkward in front of the press, but during his address in front of hundreds of attendees at an NAACP meeting, he garnered applause for his push for jobs. “Let's get South Carolina and America back to work and let's move South Carolina forward,” he said.

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Surprise Candidate Gives First Speech - Unemployed military veteran, Alvin Greene, who shocked South Carolina and the nation with his upset win in the U.S. Senate Democratic Primary, gave his first public speech Sunday. Greene has been awkward in front of the press, but during his address in front of hundreds of attendees at an NAACP meeting, he garnered applause for his push for jobs. “Let's get South Carolina and America back to work and let's move South Carolina forward,” he said.

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Bush Gives Back Heisman - In the face of ethics investigations at his alma mater University of Southern California, Saints RB Reggie Bush decided to hand back the Heisman Trophy award he won in 2005 in September. An NCAA investigation, sparking rumors that he would be stripped of the award, found that Bush received hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and gifts during his time as a student, making him ineligible that season and therefore ineligible to receive the award. Bush called such speculation “distracting."

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Bush Could Lose His Heisman - Although an official decision hasn’t been made yet, there is a possibility that Saints running back Reggie Bush could lose the Heisman Trophy he won in 2005. Earlier this week, Bush’s alma mater, USC, returned its trophy, among several measures the school is taking to distance itself from Bush in the wake of severe NCAA sanctions. Bush was part of the focus of an NCAA investigation that involved improper benefits.

14 Jersey Gang Members Arrested - Fourteen alleged gang members in Trenton have been indicted on racketeering and other charges, authorities announced Monday. All of those arrested – 13 men and one woman – are part of the Bloods street gang. The accused ringleader, 28-year-old Bernard Green, was arrested on July 13 and charged in connection with three homicides. Four others are also charged with murder.

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14 Jersey Gang Members Arrested - Fourteen alleged gang members in Trenton have been indicted on racketeering and other charges, authorities announced Monday. All of those arrested – 13 men and one woman – are part of the Bloods street gang. The accused ringleader, 28-year-old Bernard Green, was arrested on July 13 and charged in connection with three homicides. Four others are also charged with murder.

Gel Helps Prevent HIV Infection - In a scientific breakthrough, a vaginal gel has proved capable of blocking the AIDS virus, cutting in half a woman's chances of getting HIV from an infected partner in a study in South Africa. The results need to be confirmed in another study, and that level of protection may not be enough to win approval of the microbicide gel in countries like the United States (where the gel would need to be 80 percent effective). Researchers are still excited.

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Gel Helps Prevent HIV Infection - In a scientific breakthrough, a vaginal gel has proved capable of blocking the AIDS virus, cutting in half a woman's chances of getting HIV from an infected partner in a study in South Africa. The results need to be confirmed in another study, and that level of protection may not be enough to win approval of the microbicide gel in countries like the United States (where the gel would need to be 80 percent effective). Researchers are still excited though.

A Pitch for Healthy Living - Touting her "Let’s Move" campaign, First lady Michelle Obama went to an Orioles baseball game in Baltimore. Before enjoying the game between the home team and the Tampa Bay Rays from a private box at Camden Yards, she took part in the first pitch ceremony. She was escorted to home plate by players with the RBI program and the Boys and Girls Club. One of the kids threw out the first pitch.

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A Pitch for Healthy Living - Touting her "Let’s Move" campaign, First lady Michelle Obama went to an Orioles baseball game in Baltimore. Before enjoying the game between the home team and the Tampa Bay Rays from a private box at Camden Yards, she took part in the first pitch ceremony. She was escorted to home plate by players with the RBI program and the Boys and Girls Club. One of the kids threw out the first pitch.

Jordan Talks LeBron - NBA legend and Charlotte Bobcat owner Michael Jordan recently gave his opinion on LeBron James’ move to the Miami Heat to team up with superstar Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. “There’s no way, with hindsight, I would’ve ever called up Larry, called up Magic and said, ‘Hey, look, let’s get together and play on one team,’ ” Jordan said. “But… things are different. I can’t say that’s a bad thing. It’s an opportunity these kids have today. In all honesty, I was trying to beat those guys.”

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Jordan Talks LeBron - NBA legend and Charlotte Bobcat owner Michael Jordan recently gave his opinion on LeBron James’ move to the Miami Heat to team up with superstar Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. “There’s no way, with hindsight, I would’ve ever called up Larry, called up Magic and said, ‘Hey, look, let’s get together and play on one team,’ ” Jordan said. “But… things are different. I can’t say that’s a bad thing. It’s an opportunity these kids have today. In all honesty, I was trying to beat those guys.”

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Dwyane Wade Apologizes - On Sunday, Heat star Dwyane Wade compared a losing streak by his all-star team during the upcoming season to the “World Trade” going down. On Monday he issued an apology. “It appears that my reference to the World Trade Center has been either inaccurately reported or taken completely out of context. I was simply trying to say that losing a few basketball games should not be compared to a real catastrophe… I sincerely apologize to anyone who found my reference...offensive."

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Dwyane Wade Apologizes - On Sunday, Heat star Dwyane Wade compared a losing streak by his all-star team during the upcoming season to the “World Trade” going down. On Monday he issued an apology. “It appears that my reference to the World Trade Center has been either inaccurately reported or taken completely out of context. I was simply trying to say that losing a few basketball games should not be compared to a real catastrophe… I sincerely apologize to anyone who found my reference...offensive."

Vilsack Offers to Rehire Sherrod - After apologizing to ousted USDA employee Shirley Sherrod, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack offered to hire her back to a new role Wednesday. Sherrod, who was Georgia’s director of rural development, had been asked to resign after partial video of a speech she gave, posted on a conservative Web site, showed her making racial remarks. It has since been revealed that her comments were taken out of context. Sherrod is reportedly considering Vilsack’s offer.

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Vilsack Offers to Rehire Sherrod - After apologizing to ousted USDA employee Shirley Sherrod, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack offered to hire her back to a new role Wednesday. Sherrod, who was Georgia’s director of rural development, had been asked to resign after partial video of a speech she gave, posted on a conservative Web site, showed her making racial remarks. It has since been revealed that her comments were taken out of context. Sherrod is reportedly considering Vilsack’s offer.

Racial Tensions Over Busing Continue in NC - Protesters and police scuffled Tuesday at a school board meeting in North Carolina over claims that a new busing system would resegregate schools, roiling racial tensions reminiscent of the 1960s. Nineteen people were arrested, including the head of the state NAACP chapter who was banned from the meeting after a trespassing arrest at a June school board gathering. The Wake County School Board has voted multiple times over the last several months to scrap the district's diversity policy.

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Racial Tensions Over Busing Continue in NC - Protesters and police scuffled Tuesday at a school board meeting in North Carolina over claims that a new busing system would resegregate schools, roiling racial tensions reminiscent of the 1960s. Nineteen people were arrested, including the head of the state NAACP chapter who was banned from the meeting after a trespassing arrest at a June school board gathering. The Wake County School Board has voted multiple times over the last several months to scrap the district's diversity policy.

Pre-Eminent Mathematician Dies - David Blackwell, a pre-eminent mathematician and the first Black scholar in the National Academy of Sciences, has died. He was 91. Blackwell died of natural causes at a hospital on July 8, according to University of California, Berkeley officials. Blackwell was the first tenured Black professor at the campus, where he taught for nearly 35 years.

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Pre-Eminent Mathematician Dies - David Blackwell, a pre-eminent mathematician and the first Black scholar in the National Academy of Sciences, has died. He was 91. Blackwell died of natural causes at a hospital on July 8, according to University of California, Berkeley officials. Blackwell was the first tenured Black professor at the campus, where he taught for nearly 35 years.

Unemployment Claims Drop - In some long-awaited good news on the jobs front, the Labor Department announced Wednesday that the nation’s unemployment claims dropped significantly last week, bringing it to its lowest level since July 2008. Claims dropped by 34,000 to 407,000 in the week ending Nov. 20. Unemployment applications have been steadily decreasing over the past few weeks, but this recent drop was far more than analysts had expected.

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Unemployment Bill Passes - This week, Congress approved legislation to restore unemployment benefits to people who have been out of work for six months or more. The House has given final approval to the measure by a vote of 272-152. President Obama has promised to sign it quickly.

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Sundance '08 - 50 Cent performs at TAO party at the Sundance Film Festival.

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50 Puts Album on Hold - The release of 50 Cent’s new multi-genre project might be pushed back. “’Black Magic’ had a different style to it, a different vibe. I was playing with different song structures, music from different genres like rock music,” he told Brazil’s edition of Rolling Stone magazine. “Since I've made it back to America [from touring Europe], I started writing different material that [doesn't] quite fit that concept." However, “Black Magic” may come out after his next release, he said.

Jets Players Head to Ghana - Jets teammates David Clowney and Santonio Holmes traveled to Ghana on to visit a children's hospital, schools and orphanages. During the weeklong visit to the West African nation, the players will teach local children about American football. Through donations to his foundation, Clowney is bringing about 250 pounds of children's clothing with him. He'll also be donating $1,000 to each hospital they visit.

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Jets Players Head to Ghana - Jets teammates David Clowney and Santonio Holmes traveled to Ghana on to visit a children's hospital, schools and orphanages. During the weeklong visit to the West African nation, the players will teach local children about American football. Through donations to his foundation, Clowney is bringing about 250 pounds of children's clothing with him. He'll also be donating $1,000 to each hospital they visit.

Broadway at the White House - Monday evening, the president and Mrs. Obama hosted a White House Music Series event featuring tunes from Broadway in the East Room.

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Broadway at the White House - Monday evening, the president and Mrs. Obama hosted a White House Music Series event featuring tunes from Broadway in the East Room.

Serena Williams Injured - After her recent foot injury, tennis star Serena Williams might not participate in the U.S. Open, according to the WTA tour. Shortly after she won Wimbledon, Williams cut her right foot on broken glass at a restaurant and needed stitches, her team said. But, it looks like she’s still in high spirits. "Hey guys I'm doing better," Williams tweeted Monday. "Thanks for all the love."

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Serena Williams Injured - After her recent foot injury, tennis star Serena Williams might not participate in the U.S. Open, according to the WTA tour. Shortly after she won Wimbledon, Williams cut her right foot on broken glass at a restaurant and needed stitches, her team said. But, it looks like she’s still in high spirits. "Hey guys I'm doing better," Williams tweeted Monday. "Thanks for all the love."

Michael Steele In More Trouble - Strip clubs. Controversial comments and more controversial comments, Michael Steele is in hot water again. The treasurer of the Republican National Committee, Randy Pullen, says the GOP chairman hid millions of dollars in GOP debt. Pullen said he amended the committee's Federal Election Commission reports to show some $3.3 million in debt for May and $3.8 million for June. The RNC previously said it had zero debt but actually has more than $2 million in debt, according to FEC reports.

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Michael Steele In More Trouble - Strip clubs. Controversial comments and more controversial comments, Michael Steele is in hot water again. The treasurer of the Republican National Committee, Randy Pullen, says the GOP chairman hid millions of dollars in GOP debt. Pullen said he amended the committee's Federal Election Commission reports to show some $3.3 million in debt for May and $3.8 million for June. The RNC previously said it had zero debt but actually has more than $2 million in debt, according to FEC reports.

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EMT Who Walked Away From Dying Woman Killed - Jason Green had made national headlines last year when the New York City paramedic was accused of walking away from an ailing pregnant woman who later died. He’s in the spotlight again in even more tragic news: his violent death. Green was gunned down on the streets of Manhattan after a fight outside of a nightclub. New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne said Monday that there was no evidence that the brutal slaying was payback.

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EMT Who Walked Away From Dying Woman Killed - Jason Green had made national headlines last year when the New York City paramedic was accused of walking away from an ailing pregnant woman who later died. He’s in the spotlight again in even more tragic news: his violent death. Green was gunned down on the streets of Manhattan after a fight outside of a nightclub. New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne said Monday that there was no evidence that the brutal slaying was payback.

Shootings at Indiana Black Expo - One of the largest African American festivals in the Midwest, the Indiana Black Expo, is reviewing what led to the shooting of 3 teenagers aged 10 to 19. The shootings led to the injuries of 10 people. Black Expo President and chief executive Tanya Bell said a task force has been set up to examine "the root causes of the youth violence.” Police authorities suspect the shootings, which happened outside Circle Centre mall in downtown Indianapolis, could be gang related.

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Shootings at Indiana Black Expo - One of the largest African American festivals in the Midwest, the Indiana Black Expo, is reviewing what led to the shooting of 3 teenagers aged 10 to 19. The shootings led to the injuries of 10 people. Black Expo President and chief executive Tanya Bell said a task force has been set up to examine "the root causes of the youth violence.” Police authorities suspect the shootings, which happened outside Circle Centre mall in downtown Indianapolis, could be gang related.