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Hate crimes reach highest level in more than a decade
Hate crimes in the United States rose to the highest level in more than a decade as federal officials also recorded the highest number of hate-motivated killings since the FBI began collecting that data in the early 1990s, according to an FBI report released Monday.
Oscars not so white at least in this year’s nominations
This year’s Oscar nominations honor the largest ever group of actors of color, along with a diverse range of stories, a year after Hollywood was slammed for excluding diverse talent.
It’s a girl for Serena!
Serena Williams has given birth to a baby girl, the first child for the former world No. 1 tennis player and her fiancé, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.
Madam C.J. Walker’s New York estate sold
The New York estate built a century ago by Madam C.J. Walker, a daughter of slaves who made her fortune selling hair care products for black women, has been bought by the owner of Essence magazine and his family.
Trump changes course
President-elect Donald Trump vowed on Wednesday to step back from running his global business empire to avoid conflicts of interest, as concern over his dual role mounts ahead of the Republican’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
Colorado young scientist and app creator named Kid of the Year
A 15-year-old Colorado high school student and young scientist who has used artificial intel- ligence and created apps to tackle contaminated drinking water, cyberbullying, opioid addiction and other social problems has been named TIME magazine’s and Nickelodeon’s first Kid of the Year.
Rare Bible that went to moon up for sale
For the collector who has almost everything, there’s still a chance to own a Bible that literally was out of this world.
Anne Holton new interim president of George Mason
She has been called “First Lady,” “Your honor,” “Madame Secretary” and now “President.” Anne Holton, wife of Virginia’s U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, has been named interim president of George Mason University in Northern Virginia.
W&M dedicates memorial to those who were enslaved by the university
William & Mary, the nation’s second oldest institution of higher education, dedicated a brick memorial last Saturday that honors people who were enslaved by the university.
Democrats angered as Gov. Youngkin vetoes 25 bipartisan bills
Republican Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin vetoed 25 bills — including some that passed with broad bipartisan support — as he took action on more than 800 bills the divided legislature sent him during its regular session.
Salacious FBI file on Dr. King shows extent to which agency tried to discredit him
A newly released secret FBI dossier on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. alleges that the noted civil rights leader was “a slow thinker” who had ties to the Community Party, used the Southern Christian Leadership Council as “a tax dodge,” and engaged in a string of extramarital affairs and sex orgies that produced a love child.
Drums, dance play greater role in worship services
U.S. congregations are marching to the beat of their own drums now more than ever.
Kanye hosts Atlanta ‘listening party’ for new album ‘Donda’ ahead of Aug. 6 release
Kanye West barely said a word during his impromptu album listening session on July 22, but the mercurial rapper still had most attendees standing on their feet while hanging on every word of his new project.
Affirmative action hits Brazil’s runways
Bold styles are usually the talk of the town for Sao Paulo Fashion Week. This year, cou- ture connoisseurs in Brazil’s most cosmopolitan city have focused on the models—more specifically, the color of their skin.
Milwaukee Bucks bring home trophy after 50 years
Giannis Antetokounmpo had the Larry O’Brien Trophy in one arm, the NBA Finals MVP trophy in the other and there was a cigar on the table in front of him.
Churches battling Selma’s ongoing problem — poverty
The world’s eyes were again on this small Alabama city, the epicenter of the voting rights battle 50 years ago. However, the crippling poverty that faith and community leaders grapple with daily was largely overlooked amid the commemoration of the long ago fight to end the exclusion of black people from the ballot box. For those who live here, the big march and the powerful words of President Obama were a passing moment with little impact on conditions. As Pastor Reginald Wells put it in considering the spotlight that Selma has been in, “We’re not benefiting. Oprah (Winfrey) was just here. They just filmed the movie ‘Selma’ here and the world is enjoying Selma” this weekend.
Sisters reign at Wimbledon
Serena Williams proved her star power and tennis mastery once again when she won both the single’s title and, with her sister, Venus, also claimed the doubles title Saturday at Wimbledon.
“Wanton murder”
Breonna Taylor’s family attorney decries the decision of a Kentucky grand jury to absolve 2 white police offers in her shooting death, while charging a third with endangering Ms. Taylor’s neighbors
Two white policemen who fired shots inside the apartment of Breonna Taylor, a Black emergency medical technician, will not be prosecuted for her death because their use of force was justified, while a third police officer was charged with endangering her neighbors, Kentucky’s attorney general announced on Wednesday.
Study: 40% of millenials not affiliated with religion
Millennials — those between ages 23 and 48 — are shaking up the workplace, transforming dating and undoing organized religion.
Megapastor tries to defend himself after Hurricane Harvey
Pastor Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston is helping Texans cope in the wake of Hurricane Harvey — and trying to counter a flood of comments on social media accusing the church of turning its back on storm victims. The church took in about 400 people from the overflow at Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center, a Red Cross shelter, church spokesman Don Iloff said last week.
