Unarmed Bronx Teen Chased, Shot Dead by Plainclothes Police

Another unarmed black teenager has been killed by overzealous law enforcement officers, who  “thought he had a gun.” Ramarley Graham, 19, was shot in the chest by a plainclothes officer who chased Graham into his family’s home. No gun was

Slavery Museum Facing Financial Troubles That May Force Closure

When the multi-million dollar National Underground Railroad Freedom Center opened in 2004, it stood as a triumph and testament to the thousands of African Americans who escaped slavery to freedom — and to those brave souls along the northbound escape

Study Finds Link Between Low I.Q., Racism, Conservatism

Researchers at Brock University in Ontario, Canada, have published a study in Psychological Science that shows people who score low on I.Q. tests in childhood are more likely to develop prejudiced beliefs and conservative political views in adulthood. I.Q., or

David Peaston, R&B Crooner, Dead at 54

David Peaston, who rose to fame in the late 1980s after wowing audiences on “Showtime at the Apollo,” has died. He was 54. Peaston’s niece, Neuka Mitchell, reported that her uncle, who had lost both of his legs below the knee

Mother Drops Baby From Window to Escape Murderous Boyfriend

Tiffany Lawson, 31, was holding her 18-month-old son in her arms during an argument with the child’s father, Kevin Ford Jr., when she suddenly ran to an upstairs window in her Cleveland home and called to a neighbor for help.

Black Mom Jailed for Abandoning Kids on Sidewalk

Dalisha Adams, 26, has been arrested and charged with child endangerment after her 2- and 3-year-old daughters, each clutching a diaper, were found wandering on the sidewalk of a busy Brooklyn, N.Y., street near their paternal grandmother’s home. Adams said

Drug-Testing Bill Withdrawn When Amended to Include Lawmakers

A Republican member of the Indiana General Assembly withdrew his bill to mandate drug testing of welfare applicants after a Democrat amended the measure to require lawmakers be tested for drugs as well. “There was an amendment offered today that

Michael Jackson’s Kids Honor Him at Grauman’s in Hollywood

Among the more than 200 celebrity handprints, footprints and autographs left for posterity in cement blocks in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, there is now a unique and poignant memorial to the King of Pop that incorporates his children

Dead Mouse Found in Baby’s Mouth at Day Care

Childcare workers at a Newark, N.J., day care center discovered a dead mouse stuffed in 8-month-old Alanah Barba’s mouth. The  Tucker Childcare Center staff members initially thought the child was playing with a toy, then quickly removed the dead rodent

Spike Lee Curses Out Chris Rock in Tirade at Sundance

Spike Lee premiered his latest movie Red Hook Summer on Jan. 22 at the annual Sundance film festival, and took to the stage afterward to host a little Q-and-A from the stage. After shouting “Is Brooklyn in the house,” and, “New

Oprah Confident Obama Will Win in November

Oprah Winfrey says she is confident that President Barack Obama will remain in office for another four-year term. The billionaire media mogul made the statement while addressing a literary festival Jan. 22 in the northwestern Indian town of Jaipur. Winfrey

President Obama Wants to Hang Out Online With You

Want to hang out online with President Obama? Now’s your chance. If you have some free time on Jan. 30, the president has invited you to attend a live video chat with him via Google+ Hangout in which he will

Keke Palmer to Play Teen ‘Sex Enthusiast’ in Upcoming Film

In a career move that has become characteristic of maturing child actresses with Disney and Nikelodeon roots, Keke Palmer joins the growing list of little celebrity girls who reach young womanhood and shed their “pure” personas to portray so-called “slutty”