Bring That Week Back: Week of Nov. 1

Former President Bush disgusted by Kanye's comments; Mario is cleared. Plus more!

Mario Cleared of Charges - Singer Mario, who was arrested in September for allegedly pushing his mother into a wall at the home they share, was cleared in November after prosecutors dropped the misdemeanor assault charges. His mother, Shawntia Hardaway, changed her story on the witness stand, saying that she was under the influence of drugs and alcohol when she called police on her son and that he had never laid a hand on her, said a spokesman for the Baltimore state’s attorney office.

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Mario Cleared of Charges - Singer Mario, who was arrested last month for allegedly pushing his mother into a wall at the home they share, was cleared this week after prosecutors dropped the misdemeanor assault charges. His mother, Shawntia Hardaway, changed her story on the witness stand on Tuesday, saying that she was under the influence of drugs and alcohol when she called police on her son and that he had never laid a hand on her, said a spokesman for the Baltimore state’s attorney office.

A Beyoncé Thanksgiving - On Monday, ABC announced they are airing a prime-time Beyoncé special on Thanksgiving for the second year in a row. The show “Beyonce’s I Am … World Tour” will feature performance clips from the tour as well as behind the scenes footage and cameos from her husband Jay-Z and rapper Kanye West. The special is set to air Nov. 25 at 9:30 pm.

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A Beyoncé Thanksgiving - On Monday, ABC announced they are airing a prime-time Beyoncé special on Thanksgiving for the second year in a row. The show “Beyonce’s I Am … World Tour” will feature performance clips from the tour as well as behind the scenes footage and cameos from her husband Jay-Z and rapper Kanye West. The special is set to air Nov. 25 at 9:30 pm.

Mother, Daughter Sentenced for Deadly Easter Crash - Aimee Michael, 24, and her mother Sheila were both sentenced in a Georgia courtroom Thursday for their roles in a 2009 Easter Day car crash that killed five. Aimee was sentenced to 36 years in prison and 14 years of probation for causing the wreck then speeding away; Sheila was sentenced to eight years in prison for helping her cover up the accident.

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Mother, Daughter Sentenced for Deadly Easter Crash - Aimee Michael, 24, and her mother Sheila were both sentenced in a Georgia courtroom Thursday for their roles in a 2009 Easter Day car crash that killed five. Aimee was sentenced to 36 years in prison and 14 years of probation for causing the wreck then speeding away; Sheila was sentenced to eight years in prison for helping her cover up the accident.

Aretha Franklin Talks About Cancer Reports - The Queen of Soul is finally addressing the pancreatic cancer rumors that hit headlines in December. On Dec. 2, she underwent surgery for a still undisclosed illness, following a cancellation of concert dates on doctor’s orders. Then, late last year, “The Detroit Free Press” cited an anonymous source that said Franklin was being treated for pancreatic cancer. But on Thursday, Franklin told “Access Hollywood”, “I don’t know where ‘pancreatic cancer’ came from…No one in my family ever said that."

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Aretha Cancels Shows - Citing doctor’s orders, legendary singer Aretha Franklin is canceling all of her concert dates and personal appearances through May, a spokeswoman announced Thursday. The Queen of Soul was recently released from a Detroit hospital after a short stay and her publicist Tracey Jordan said that “doctors have required her” to cancel the appearances.

Election Day - After weeks of crisscrossing the country, tirelessly campaigning for Democrats, on Tuesday evening President Obama could only watch control of the House of Representatives slip out of his party’s hands and into Republicans’. In total, the Dems lost 60 seats in the House, leaving them with 186 to the GOP’s 239. The Democrats were able to hold on to the Senate, though, losing six seats to the Republicans, giving them a 52 to 46 majority.

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Election Day - After weeks of crisscrossing the country, tirelessly campaigning for Democrats, on Tuesday evening President Obama could only watch control of the House of Representatives slip out of his party’s hands and into Republicans’. In total, the Dems lost 60 seats in the House, leaving them with 186 to the GOP’s 239. The Democrats were able to hold on to the Senate, though, losing six seats to the Republicans, giving them a 52 to 46 majority.

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Lil Wayne Released From Prison - After serving eight months for weapons charges, Lil Wayne was released from Rikers Island prison facility in New York in November. The sentence, which was originally a year, was connected to his arrest in 2007 after his tour bus was stopped and searched by police after leaving the performance venue.

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Lil Wayne Released From Prison - After serving eight months for weapons charges, Lil Wayne was released from Rikers Island prison facility in New York on Thursday. The sentence, which was originally a year, was connected to his arrest in 2007 after his tour bus was stopped and searched by police after leaving the performance venue. The rapper will celebrate his freedom Sunday with a party in Miami.

Worst: Kanye Apologizing To Pres. Bush - When Mr. West gave the "I'm sorry" to Pres. Bush for saying he doesn't care about black people, many Kanye fans sighed with disappointment. At the time, Kanye spoke what many people, black or white, felt about Pres. Bush. Never back pedal - no more apologies Kanye!

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Bush Calls Kanye’s Comment a Low Point - In an interview with NBC’s Matt Lauer, former President George W. Bush revealed that Kanye West’s infamous “Bush doesn’t care about Black people” comment during Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath was the lowest point in his presidency. “I resent it, it’s not true, and it was one of the most disgusting moments of my presidency.” The rapper made the remark in response to what many saw as Bush’s slow response to help the mostly Black victims of the 2005 storm.

Moss Picked up By the Titans - Not long after the receiver was waived by the Minnesota Vikings, Randy Moss was claimed by the Tennessee Titans Wednesday evening. During Moss’ postgame press conference after the Vikings’ loss Sunday, he praised his former team the New England Patriots, and had reportedly clashed with head coach Brad Childress during his short tenure with the Vikings.

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Moss Picked up By the Titans - Not long after the receiver was waived by the Minnesota Vikings, Randy Moss was claimed by the Tennessee Titans Wednesday evening. During Moss’ postgame press conference after the Vikings’ loss Sunday, he praised his former team the New England Patriots, and had reportedly clashed with head coach Brad Childress during his short tenure with the Vikings.

Dance Judge Shane Sparks to Face Trial - Choreographer Shane Sparks, who appeared as a judge on MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew,” was ordered in November to go to trial on eight sex counts involving an underage girl in the 1990s. Following a preliminary hearing, the judge ruled that there was enough evidence for Sparks to stand trial for six counts of lewd acts on a child and two counts of oral copulation of a person under 16. He was arrested last year and released on $590,000 bail. Sparks’ lawyer says he’s innocent.

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Dance Judge Shane Sparks to Face Trial - Choreographer Shane Sparks, who appeared as a judge on MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew,” was ordered on Monday to go to trial on eight sex counts involving an underage girl in the 1990s. Following a preliminary hearing, the judge ruled that there was enough evidence for Sparks to stand trial for six counts of lewd acts on a child and two counts of oral copulation of a person under 16. He was arrested last year and released on $590,000 bail. Sparks’ lawyer says he’s innocent.

Young ‘Lion King’ Actress Dies of Cancer - Eleven-year-old Shannon Tavarez, who played the lion cub Nala in Broadway’s production of “The Lion King,” died Monday afternoon after her fight with leukemia. Tavarez’s bout with the acute cancer garnered support from celebs including Alicia Keys, Rihanna and 50 Cent. On Tuesday, the Minskoff Theatre, which housed the play’s shows, paid tribute to her by dimming its marquee lights.

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Young ‘Lion King’ Actress Dies of Cancer - Eleven-year-old Shannon Tavarez, who played the lion cub Nala in Broadway’s production of “The Lion King,” died Monday afternoon after her fight with leukemia. Tavarez’s bout with the acute cancer garnered support from celebs including Alicia Keys, Rihanna and 50 Cent. On Tuesday, the Minskoff Theatre, which housed the play’s shows, paid tribute to her by dimming its marquee lights.

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T.I. Reports Back to Federal Prison - On Monday, T.I. reported to an Arkansas federal prison to serve time violating his probation. Following his L.A. arrest for drugs in September, a judge ordered the rapper to serve another 11 months in prison. T.I. was just released from the same facility last December after serving seven months for weapons charges.

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T.I. Reports Back to Federal Prison - On Monday, T.I. reported to an Arkansas federal prison to serve time violating his probation. Following his L.A. arrest for drugs in September, a judge ordered the rapper to serve another 11 months in prison. T.I. was just released from the same facility last December after serving seven months for weapons charges.

Rihanna Attends Barbados PM’s Funeral - After initial reports indicated she wouldn’t be able to make it, Rihanna did end up flying to her native Barbados and attending the funeral for the country’s late Prime Minister David Thompson on Wednesday. The singer had been appointed the country’s Youth and Culture ambassador by Thompson.

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Rihanna Attends Barbados PM’s Funeral - After initial reports indicated she wouldn’t be able to make it, Rihanna did end up flying to her native Barbados and attending the funeral for the country’s late Prime Minister David Thompson on Wednesday. The singer had been appointed the country’s Youth and Culture ambassador by Thompson.

‘Undercovers’ Cancelled - The new NBC drama, “Undercovers,” starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Boris Kodjoe, has been cancelled. The network announced this week that they won’t order more episodes beyond the 13 they had originally requested. The show broke new ground by featuring two Black lead characters, but ultimately wasn’t able to keep high ratings, delivering 5.8 million viewers for a recent episode.

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‘Undercovers’ Cancelled - The new NBC drama, “Undercovers,” starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Boris Kodjoe, has been cancelled. The network announced this week that they won’t order more episodes beyond the 13 they had originally requested. The show broke new ground by featuring two Black lead characters, but ultimately wasn’t able to keep high ratings, delivering 5.8 million viewers for a recent episode.

Gov. Appoints State’s 1st Black Chief Justice - Early in November, Massachusetts’ newly re-elected Gov. Deval Patrick nominated Roderick L. Ireland to be the first African-American chief justice of the state’s Supreme Judicial Court. If confirmed, Ireland would replace retiring Justice Margaret Marshall, who had served as the court’s first female chief justice.

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Gov. Patrick Appoints State’s 1st Black Chief Just - On Thursday, Massachusetts’ newly re-elected Gov. Deval Patrick nominated Roderick L. Ireland to be the first African-American chief justice of the state’s Supreme Judicial Court. If confirmed, Ireland would replace retiring Justice Margaret Marshall, who had served as the court’s first female chief justice.

Tomas Hits Haiti - In November, Haitians braced for Hurricane Tomas, which was on track to further devastate those living in refugee camps after the tragic earthquake earlier this year. The storm struck the nation hard, killing at least 20 people, but spared most earthquake-refugee camps in the capital.

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Tomas Hits Haiti - All week, Haitians braced for Hurricane Tomas, which was on track to further devastate those living in refugee camps after the tragic earthquake earlier this year. The storm struck the nation hard on Friday, killing at least 20 people, but spared most earthquake-refugee camps in the capital.

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Bishop Long Denies Allegations - In a court filing on Monday, Bishop Eddie Long categorically denied, for the first time, allegations that he lured four young men into sexual relationships. The men, who were 17 and 18 at the time, allege Long used his position in the church to lure them into sexual acts with cars, jewelry and cash. The megachurch pastor acknowledges giving them gifts, but says he often provided financial assistance to members, and had them call him “daddy” out of respect.

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Bishop Long Denies Allegations - In a court filing on Monday, Bishop Eddie Long categorically denied, for the first time, allegations that he lured four young men into sexual relationships. The men, who were 17 and 18 at the time, allege Long used his position in the church to lure them into sexual acts with cars, jewelry and cash. The megachurch pastor acknowledges giving them gifts, but says he often provided financial assistance to members, and had them call him “daddy” out of respect.

Man Sentenced for Torching Black Church - Massachusetts man Benjamin Haskell was sentenced to nine years in prison in federal court Monday for setting a predominantly Black church on fire hours after President Obama was elected president. Haskell pleaded guilty to civil rights charges in June and his deal called for a nine-year sentence. The Macedonia Church of God in Christ, under construction at the time, was destroyed as a result of the Nov. 5, 2008 fire. Haskell is one of three White men charged in the crime.

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Man Sentenced for Torching Black Church - Massachusetts man Benjamin Haskell was sentenced to nine years in prison in federal court Monday for setting a predominantly Black church on fire hours after President Obama was elected president. Haskell pleaded guilty to civil rights charges in June and his deal called for a nine-year sentence. The Macedonia Church of God in Christ, under construction at the time, was destroyed as a result of the Nov. 5, 2008 fire. Haskell is one of three White men charged in the crime.

Lawsuit Dismissed - A judge ruled to dismiss a $1 million lawsuit filed by Marion “Suge” Knight against rapper Kanye West Thursday. The former Death Row label head was shot in the leg at a 2005 Miami party hosted by the rapper, and blames Kanye for not having adequate security. However, the judge ruled that there’s no evidence that the shooting was foreseeable. Knight will appeal, his attorney said. The shooter has never been ID’d.

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Lawsuit Dismissed - A judge ruled to dismiss a $1 million lawsuit filed by Marion “Suge” Knight against rapper Kanye West Thursday. The former Death Row label head was shot in the leg at a 2005 Miami party hosted by the rapper, and blames Kanye for not having adequate security. However, the judge ruled that there’s no evidence that the shooting was foreseeable. Knight will appeal, his attorney said. The shooter has never been ID’d.

Woods Loses No. 1 Ranking - For the first time in 281 consecutive weeks, Tiger Woods is no longer the world’s No. 1 golfer. After a disappointing season, Woods lost his top ranking Sunday to England’s Lee Westwood. But the golfer, whose run at No. 1 broke records, isn’t surprised. “As far as the world ranking is concerned, yes, I’m not ranked No. 1 in the world,” he said Monday. “In order to do that you have to win and I didn’t win this year.”

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Woods Loses No. 1 Ranking - For the first time in 281 consecutive weeks, Tiger Woods is no longer the world’s No. 1 golfer. After a disappointing season, Woods lost his top ranking Sunday to England’s Lee Westwood. But the golfer, whose run at No. 1 broke records, isn’t surprised. “As far as the world ranking is concerned, yes, I’m not ranked No. 1 in the world,” he said Monday. “In order to do that you have to win and I didn’t win this year.”

Did K.G. Call an NBA Opponent a Cancer Patient? - Detroit Piston Charlie Villanueva took to Twitter this week accusing Celtics star Kevin Garnett, a notorious trash-talker, of going too far. “KG called me a cancer patient, I’m pissed because, u know how many people died from cancer, and he’s tossing it like it’s a joke,” he tweeted. Villanueva, who is bald, has a condition, alopecia universalis, which causes him to lose his hair. Garnett denied he said that, though, in a statement.

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Did K.G. Call an NBA Opponent a Cancer Patient? - Detroit Piston Charlie Villanueva took to Twitter this week accusing Celtics star Kevin Garnett, a notorious trash-talker, of going too far. “KG called me a cancer patient, I’m pissed because, u know how many people died from cancer, and he’s tossing it like it’s a joke,” he tweeted. Villanueva, who is bald, has a condition, alopecia universalis, which causes him to lose his hair. Garnett denied he said that, though, in a statement.