National News - Page 82

D.C. Prayer Breakfast Honors MLK and Community Sheroes

By Patricia McDougall On Jan. 11 the 7th Annual Martin Luther King Holiday D.C. Prayer Breakfast was held at Matthews Memorial Baptist Church in Washington D.C.  Under the theme of “Commit to Noble Struggle for Equal Rights,” several clergy, dignitaries and community service leaders came together to honor the legacy of the civil rights activist. In addition, young leaders of the Marion Barry Youth Leadership Institute were present. The youths, who serve as advocates for their peers and represent the voices of young people throughout the Washington D.C. area, offered words of encouragement and a prayer for peace around the

Rashida Jones Steps Down as President of MSNBC

By Kiya Robinson MSNBC President Rashida Jones announced yesterday that she is stepping down from the position after four years. Jones made history as the first Black executive to lead a major U.S. television news network. Rebecca Kutler has been named as interim president. “I came to this decision over the holidays while reflecting on our remarkable journey and the many successes we’ve achieved together as a team. This has been the most rewarding chapter of my professional career, and I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished, which has been made possible only by you,” Jones said in a memo

CBC Swears In Historic 62 Members, 2 Black Women Senators

By Catherine Pugh On Jan. 3 in Washington, D.C. the Congressional Black Caucus of the 119th Congress held a ceremonial swearing-in for its 62 members. Included in the number were nine new members. Among the nine new members were two new United States Senators, former Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and Delaware Congresswoman Lisa Blunt-Rochester. Both ladies follow in the footsteps of the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate in 1993, Carolyn Mosley Braun, of Ill. Senators Alsobrooks and Blunt-Rochester’s elections mark the first time in U.S. history that two African-American women will serve in the United States

Biden Forgives Student Loans for 150K in Final Push

With just one week left in his presidency, President Joe Biden announced a new round of student loan forgiveness for 150,000 borrowers. Although he fell short of his broader promise to cancel student debt on a larger scale, the White House confirmed in a press release that Biden has now forgiven loans for a total of 5 million borrowers during his term. According to NBC News, Biden stated that he has “forgiven more student loan debt than any other administration in history,” highlighting the administration’s aggressive efforts to address the student debt crisis. Biden Student Loans: Expansion of Public Service Loan Forgiveness The most recent

Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack Named 2024 Person of the Year

By Ashley Brown In a testament to his inspirational leadership, the Times and Democrat Newspaper has recognized Clafin University President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack as its 2024 Person of the Year. This recognition reflects his transformative impact on Claflin since his tenure began in 2019. Under Warmack’s guidance, Claflin University has experienced significant advancements beyond academic growth. The Times and Democrat highlighted his commitment to “Elevation and Transformation,” noting accomplishments such as new campus facilities, innovative majors, and enhanced community engagement. “I am honored to receive this award,” Warmack stated. “You’re not in this community 155 years without giving trusted service. I

President Biden to Deliver Farewell Address on Wednesday

By Megan Lebowitz President Joe Biden will deliver a farewell address to the country next Wednesday, the White House announced on Friday. His speech will be delivered from the Oval Office, a location typically reserved for momentous occasions and major news. The White House did not release additional details about what the president would discuss. Biden’s speech will come less than a week before his political rival, President-elect Donald Trump, is inaugurated. NBC News previously reported that Biden planned to deliver two major speeches — including a farewell address— about his legacy before he leaves the White House. His farewell address, according to sources familiar, is expected to

Incarcerated Firefighters Battle Historic California Fires

By Jaclyn Diaz Nearly 800 incarcerated people are among the more than 7,500 personnel helping fight the historic, and destructive, Southern California wildfires. The five raging wildfires have destroyed homes, businesses and landmarks throughout Los Angeles. “As of today, 783 Fire Camp firefighters have been working around the clock cutting fire lines and removing fuel from behind structures to slow fire spread, including 88 support staff,” California’s Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement to NPR on Thursday. This is not a new practice. California has relied on incarcerated firefighters since 1915. And prison labor has been used to respond to

Wall Street Closes to Honor Former President Jimmy Carter

By Maria Aspan Wall Street’s opening bells will remain silent on Thursday. The New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq will both close for trading today, as the financial industry joins a national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter. The global humanitarian died on Dec. 29, at age 100, and will be eulogized at a state funeral today in Washington. The rare mid-week trading shutdown continues a Wall Street tradition that goes back to 1865. After President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, the New York Stock Exchange closed for days. Since then, the U.S. stock markets have regularly shuttered to mourn deceased

10 people have now died in the wildfires spreading across Southern California

By Ayana Archie Fires continue to rage on in Southern California, as tens of thousands of acres of land have been decimated, and the flames have been partially contained. What you need to know Ten people have died due to the fires, the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed. Identification may take several weeks, the examiner said. About 180,000 people have had to evacuate and another 200,000 people are under evacuation warnings, the LA County Sheriff’s Department said. The fires More than 35,000 acres have been burned, with the Palisades and Eaton fires driving the destruction, according to the California Department

Biden Signs Social Security Fairness Act, Boosts Benefits

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By Lorie Konish President Joe Biden on Sunday signed the Social Security Fairness Act, bipartisan legislation that clears the way for teachers, firefighters, policeman and other public sector workers who also receive pension income to receive increases in their Social Security benefits. The benefit boost comes as the new law repeals two provisions — the Windfall Elimination Provision, or WEP, and the Government Pension Offset, or GPO — that have been in place for more than four decades. The WEP reduces Social Security benefits for individuals who receive pension or disability benefits from employment where Social Security payroll taxes were not withheld. As of December

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