National News - Page 72

D.C. mayor to remove Black Lives Matter Plaza amid pressure from White House

A spokesperson for D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser confirmed to NBC Washington that Bowser will remove Black Lives Matter Plaza and its ground mural will be painted over. There’s no timeline yet for the changes, but the street art will be replaced with a design created by D.C. schoolchildren. Bowser said she made the decision several days ago. When pressed about why, she said it was fair to say the White House didn’t like it. In 2020, the two-block stretch of 16th Street NW north of the White House was designated as Black Lives Matter Plaza after the murder of George

Trump Admin to Sell 400+ Federal Buildings, Save $430M

The Trump administration on Tuesday published a list of more than 400 federal properties it says it could close or sell, including the FBI headquarters and the main Department of Justice building, after deeming them “not core to government operations.” The list published by the General Services Administration includes some of the country’s most recognizable buildings and spans nearly every state, with properties ranging from courthouses to office buildings and parking garages. In Washington, D.C., it includes the J. Edgar Hoover Building, which serves as FBI headquarters, the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building, the Old Post Office building, where President

Trump Eases Canada, Mexico Tariffs Amid Market Turmoil

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By Natalie Sherman & Michael Race US President Donald Trump has signed orders significantly expanding the goods exempted from his new tariffs on Canada and Mexico that were imposed this week. It is the second time in two days that Trump has rolled back his taxes on imports from the US’s two biggest trade partners, measures that have raised uncertainty for businesses and worried financial markets. On Wednesday, he said he would temporarily spare carmakers from 25% import levies just a day after they came into effect. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum thanked Trump for the move, while Canada’s finance minister said

TMCF Launches $25M HBCU Innovation and Growth Initiative

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) has launched a major initiative to help historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) grow stronger and more innovative, thanks to a $25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. Over the next five years,  the grant will allow TMCF to fund Project HBCU Capacity Building: Maximizing HBCU Performance Through Investments in Research, Operations and Innovation. The project will boost member institutions through student success programs, operational systems improvements, and infrastructure upgrades. TMCF’s plan is built on a multi-faceted approach. It will enhance administrative systems by introducing a new data management platform that streamlines operations, improves

Southern University Probes Student Death Linked to Hazing

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By  Sara Cline The death of a 20-year-old Southern University student in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is being investigated by local law enforcement as a possible act of fraternity hazing, school authorities confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday. Caleb Wilson, who died on Feb. 27, was a mechanical engineering junior at Southern University and A&M College and a member of the school’s famed marching band. Chancellor John K. Pierre said in a statement shared on the college’s Facebook page that “an off-campus incident is believed to have contributed to Caleb’s death.” A university spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday that an alleged fraternity ritual,

UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball Returns to Birmingham in 2025

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is proud to announce the return of its signature fundraising event, the UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball, to Birmingham. This prestigious evening of elegance and philanthropy will take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at the Birmingham Sheraton Hotel, bringing together Birmingham’s leaders in business, education, and community advocacy to support higher education opportunities for deserving students. Led by Mayor Randall Woodfin, Director Casi Ferguson, and 2025 Presenting Sponsor is President Nicholas Willis of PNC Bank, this highly anticipated event combines glamour and giving for a night to remember. The Mayor’s Masked Ball is part

Trump Administration Eyes Selling Off 320 Federal Properties

By Piper Hudspleth Blackburn The Trump administration announced Tuesday that it is considering selling off hundreds of “non-core” federal properties, according to the General Services Administration. “GSA’s decisive action to dispose of non-core assets leverages the private sector, drives improvements for our agency customers, and best serves local communities,” the agency said in a news release, claiming that it could potentially save “more than $430 million in annual operating costs.” A list of 440 “non-core” properties initially posted to the GSA website included the headquarters of the FBI; the departments of Justice, Veterans Affairs, Labor, and Housing and Urban Development; Federal Trade

USDA Suspends 1890 Scholars Program, Sparking Outrage

Dr Marcus Bernard was shocked to learn last week that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) had suspended the 1890 National Scholars program that funds undergraduate students’ education in agriculture or related fields at about 20 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Bernard is dean of the college of agriculture, health and natural resources at one of those institutions, Kentucky State University. At Kentucky State, close to 40 of the scholars have enrolled since the project’s inception in 1992. Nationwide, the program has supported more than 800 students, according to the USDA. The 1890 scholarships have created a pipeline for rural and underrepresented

NOAA Layoffs Spark Outrage Over Public Safety Concerns

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By Grace Toohey As federal job eliminations struck the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service on Thursday, scientists and environmental advocates denounced the cuts, saying they could cause real harm to Americans. The full extent of the layoffs across NOAA were not immediately clear, but Democratic legislators said hundreds of scientists and experts had been notified of terminated employment. NOAA — which includes the National Hurricane Center and the Tsunami Warning Center — is the latest in a string of federal agencies targeted for cuts by billionaire Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency. “Musk’s sham

JCSU Faces Uncertainty Amid Trump’s Education Cuts

By Brian Steinerg Lester Holt, the NBC News anchor known for his ability to lead hours of breaking news coverage without pause, is finally ready for a breather. The NBC News veteran plans to step away in early summer from his anchor duties on “NBC Nightly News,” which he has held since 2015. After that, he plans to devote himself full time to NBC News’ “Dateline,” which he has anchored since 2011. “After 10 years, 17 if you include my years on the weekends, the time has come for me to step away from my role as anchor of ‘Nightly News.’ It

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