Two people familiar with the situation say Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith has been fined $15,000 by the NFL for a sideline scuffle, while Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall avoided any punishment. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the league has not officially commented on the situation.
Posted by: The Connector
The mastermind of the 2002 sniper attacks that killed 10 in the Washington, D.C., region has been executed.
A prison spokesman says John Allen Muhammad died by injection at 9:11 p.m. Tuesday at Greensville Correctional Center.
Muhammad was executed for killing Dean Harold Meyers at a gas station during the spree that terrorized Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., over a three-week period. His teenage accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo, was sentenced to life in prison.
Prison spokesman Larry Traylor says Muhammad had no final words. He says he didn’t hear him utter a word during the execution.
The mastermind of the 2002 sniper attacks that killed 10 in the Washington, D.C., region has been executed.
San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum has an agreement with a prosecutor in his home state of Washington that could settle his misdemeanor marijuana charge, The Columbian reported Friday. The Vancouver, Wash., newspaper said Clark County prosecutors have reached a deal with a lawyer for the 2008 Cy Young Award winner that would result in a $250 fine for possessing a marijuana pipe.
San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum is facing misdemeanor marijuana charges following a traffic stop in his home state. Washington State Patrol spokesman Steve Schatzel said Thursday that the 2008 Cy Young Award winner and former University of Washington star was pulled over for speeding on Interstate 5 in the town of Hazel Dell, about four miles north of the Oregon border, on Oct.
Brian Westbrook is set to return from his latest injury when the Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys in a matchup of the top two teams in the NFC East on Sunday. Westbrook missed the Eagles' rout of the Giants last week with a concussion sustained a week earlier in a victory over Washington. Coach Andy Reid said Westbrook, who practiced Wednesday for the first time since the injury, should be…
Dan Snyder is embarrassed. He feels terrible. He's also hurt, frustrated and apologetic. Name a downbeat adjective, and he's all over it. The Washington Redskins owner made some rare in-season comments about his team Tuesday, speaking at an event to celebrate the franchise's charitable program to renovate football fields at Maryland high schools.
Washington Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels is out for the season, and linebacker H.B. Blades and cornerback Byron Westbrook are recovering from knee surgery. The Redskins made the expected move of placing six-time Pro Bowl lineman Samuels on injured reserve Saturday. Samuels has a chronic spinal condition and will decide in a few months whether to return next season or retire.
Antawn Jamison's ailing shoulder will keep him off the court well into the regular season. The Washington Wizards announced an estimated recovery time for Jamison's injury Friday, saying he's likely to miss the first eight to 13 games. "The most important thing is it's a long season," he said.
Well, that should quiet things down for a while. The Jim Zorn unemployment watch is over. Jerry Gray, as it turns out, isn't a coach-in-waiting about to get promoted any day now. Another week of Washington Redskins craziness ended with an actual message of stability Friday: The front office said Zorn will be the coach for the rest of the season.
Filed under: Music, Television, News
As previously reported by BV Newswire, the 2009 Soul Train Awards is scheduled to tape at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center on Nov. 3. In addition to Academy Award nominated actors Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard hosting this year’s annual event, some of today’s most prominent music stars are scheduled to perform.
Network producers decided to assemble an all-star lineup including Toni Braxton, Trey Songz, Erykah Badu, Robin Thicke, Fantasia, Ryan Leslie, Chrisette Michelle, Raheem DeVaughn, Karyn White, Boyz II Men, Ledisi, Chico Debarge, Angie Stone, Brian McKnight, Ginuwine, Melanie Fiona, and Johnny Gill among others.
The two-hour ceremony will also honor the late, great Michael Jackson, who holds the record for most Soul Train awards won, with the special Entertainer of the Year Award.
As for this year’s nominations, pop superstar Beyonce alongside Keri Hilson, and Maxwell lead the pack with four nominations each.
In addition, this year’s show will honor the illustrious careers and musical influences of Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, L.A. Reid and Kenny “Baby Face” Edmonds.
Officially titled, ‘Centric Presents: 2009 Soul Train Awards Show,’ the event will premiere simultaneously on the new BET spin-off channel Centric and BET on Nov. 29 at 9 pm ET. Centric went live on air Sept. 28 via digital cable and satellite cable carriers.
Below is a complete list of nominees and categories.
BEST NEW ARTIST
o. Drake
o. Jazmine Sullivan
o. Keri Hilson
o. Ryan Leslie
o. Solange
BEST R&B/SOUL ARTIST FEMALE
o. Beyonce
o. Chrisette Michele
o. Jennifer Hudson
o. Ledisi
o. Whitney Houston
BEST MALE R&B/SOUL MALE
o. Charlie Wilson
o. Maxwell
o. Musiq Soulchild
o. Raphael Saadiq
o. Robin Thicke
SONG OF THE YEAR
o. “God in Me” – Mary Mary
o. “Pretty Wings” – Maxwell
o. “Single Ladies (Put a ring on it)” – Beyonce
o. “Spotlight” – Jennifer Hudson
o. “Turnin Me On” – Keri Hilson/ ft Lil Wayne
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
o. Beyonce – I am… Sasha Fierce (Platinum) Sony Music
o. Jamie Foxx – Intuition (Platinum) J Records
o. Kanye West – 808s & Heartbreak (Platinum) Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
o. Maxwell – Blacksummer’s Night (Gold) Sony Music
o. Ne-Yo – Year of the Gentleman
RECORD OF THE YEAR (SONGWRITER AWARD)
o. Beyonce – “Single Ladies (Put a ring on it)”
o. Drake – “Best I ever had”
o. Jamie Foxx Ft/T-Pain – “Blame it”
o. Keri Hilson – “Knock You Down”
o. Maxwell – “Pretty Wings”
BEST REGGAE ARTIST AWARD
o. Movado
o. Sean Paul
o. Serani
o. Taurus Riley
o. Ziggy Marley
CENTRIC AWARD – SOUL APPROVED/UNDERGROUND
o. Corneille
o. Eric Roberson
o. Laura Izibor
o. Maysa
o. The Knux
BEST GOSPEL PERFORMANCE MALE, FEMALE OR GROUP
o. BeBe and CeCe Winans – “Close To You”
o. Fred Hammond f/John P Kee – “They That Wait”
o. Marvin Sapp – “Praise Him in Advance”
o. Mary Mary – “God In Me”
o. Smokie Norful – “Justified”
BEST COLLABORATION
o. Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo – “Knock you Down”
o. Keyshia Cole featuring Monica – “Trust”
o. Mario featuring Gucci Mane and Sean Garrett – “Break up”
o. Mary Mary featuring Kierra (KiKi) Sheard – “God In Me”
o. Trey Songz featuring Drake – “Successful”
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
o. Michael Jackson
10/7/09: Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey‘s new album ‘Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel’ debuted in #3 position on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart, selling only 167, 912 copies in its first week of release. Surprisingly, 67-year-old Barbra Streisand bagged the top spot — selling 180,415 copies of her latest covers collection, ‘Love is the Answer.’ Also keeping Carey away from being numero uno; rock band Paramore, which opened at #2 with their new album ‘Brand New Eyes,’ with sales of 175,112.
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10/5/09: Meshell Ndegeocello
This week, Meshell Ndegeocelloreleases her latest album, ‘Devil’s Halo,’ and officially kicks off a promotional tour at New York City hot-spot, Highline Balroom. The three week club tour will have the rock & soul wunderkind performing in major cities across the country — including Chicago, Los Angeles and Minneapolis — before her final show Oct. 28 in Bellingham, Washington. All tour dates will include Meshell’s full band, featuring guitarist Chris Bruce, bassist Mark Kelley, keyboardist Keefus Ciancia and drummer Deantoni Parks.
Mark Seliger for Downtown Music
10/2/09: Mary J, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson:
Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder, and Jennifer Hudson are among the artists featured on Rod Stewart‘s forthcoming project titled ‘Soulbook.’ The J Records release captures the Grammy Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Famer covering a collection of classic soul favorites, including the Stylistics timeless classic ‘You Make Me Feel Brand New.’ “This is the album I’ve waited my whole lifetime to record,” Stewart stated. ‘Soulbook’ hits stores and digital retailers Oct. 27.
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10/2/09: 50 Cent/T.I.:
To capitalize off of its recent batch of ‘Behind the Music’ segments, VH1 has finally decided to take an introspective look at the careers of 50 Cent and T.I. The two multi-platinum rappers will be showcased in the network’s long running series in the coming weeks, which will cover their rise to fame. From T.I. describing the pros and cons of being a hip-hop superstar to Fifty detailing his success as an international mogul. ‘Behind the Music: T.I.’ premieres Oct. 8 at 10 pm/et, while ‘Behind the Music: 50 Cent’ airs Oct. 13 at 8 pm/et.
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10/2/09: Bootsy Collins, Teena Marie:
Beginning Nov. 1, TV One returns with all new episodes of their critically-acclaimed original biography series, ‘Unsung.’ The Gary Anthony Williams-narrated show, which examines and celebrates talented artists who are under-appreciated, will showcase Teena Marie, Bootsy Collins, Roger Troutman & Zapp, and Klymaxx in its third installment. ‘Unsung: Teena Marie’ premieres Nov. 1 at 8 pm/et followed by an encore at 11 pm/et.
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10/2/09: Akon:
International superstar Akon is showing support for breast cancer awareness month this weekend with his headlining performance at the Think Pink Rocks concert on Oct. 3. Hosted by BET’s Terrence and Rocsi, the star-studded charity benefit will also include performances by Canadian R&B songstress Melanie Fiona, Shontelle, and pop reggae trio American Yard. According to an event spokesperson, all proceeds will go to breast cancer charities and research.
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10/2/09: Pretty Ricky:
Following a controversial viral video clip from one of its most known members earlier this year, R&B group Pretty Ricky will finally release their third album, aptly titled ‘Pretty Ricky.’ The chart-topping group, which features Spectacular, Diamond Blue, Slick’Em, and their newest buddy/addition Lingerie, feels their Nov. 17 release is too good to explain. “The songs are too sensual to describe in words,” says Diamond. “You have to hear it to fully grasp the erotic experience of the records.” The group’s new lead single, ‘Tipsy In This Club,’ received a mixed response over the summer when Spectacular debuted the track via his eye-brow raising YouTube clip.
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9/28/09: Tupac Shakur/Martin Luther King Jr.
Late rap legend Tupac Shakur may be deceased, but he’s still in great company. His mother Afeni Shakur has donated a collection of his writing to the Robert W. Woodruff Library at Atlanta University Center. The library also houses The Martin Luther King Jr. Collection. More than 150 of his personal items, ranging from rough drafts of lyrics and poems to a photocopy of his contract with Suge Knight and Death Row Records were given. The records are expected to be available for research in the fall of 2010.
Getty Images, Corbis
9/28/09: Ruben Studdard
Former ‘American Idol’ winner Ruben Studdard is heating up the airwaves with his latest single, ‘Don’t Make ‘Em Like U No More.’ The single, which is described as a “sleek and soulful R&B ode to everyone’s special someone,” is featured on the Grammy Award-nominated crooner’s current album, ‘Love Is.’ In addition, Studdard will join Philip Bailey (of Earth, Wind & Fire) and Deborah Cox, among others, on Oct. 21 for the “David Foster and Friends Tour.” The trek kicks off in Chicago and concludes on Nov. 8 in Vancouver.
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9/28/09: Angie Stone
R&B diva Angie Stone is ready to hit fans with some surprising stuff! On Nov. 24, the brown-skin soul sister will release her second project, titled ‘Unexpected,’ on legendary label Stax Records. According to Stone, the album’s title is a reflection of the direction that she took in recording the opus. “This album is something that no one would have anticipated coming from me,” she said. “My father always encouraged me and everyone else he knew to reach out and make a leap of faith, and that’s exactly what I’ve done.” ‘Unexpected’ features the lead single ‘I Ain’t Hearin’ U’ and the poignant ballad ‘Think Sometimes.’
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Jason Campbell will remain the Washington Redskins starting quarterback. Coach Jim Zorn said Tuesday on his ESPN980 radio show that he will stick with Campbell for Monday night's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Campbell was benched at halftime of Sunday's 14-6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Bingo! You're not calling plays anymore, Jim Zorn. Sherm Lewis is coming out of retirement to do it for you. With a pained expression, Washington Redskins coach Zorn announced Monday that the front office "strongly suggested" that he yield his play-calling duties to a consultant hired only two weeks ago.
Filed under: Gossip, News, Legal
Last week reports were circulating stating that R&B superstar Usher had called authorities back in September to report that his car had been keyed, and that he implicated his estranged wife, Tameka Foster. Well apparently TMZ got their hands on the 911 tape which reveals the ‘Confessions’ singer explaining in detail what he believes took place.
“I want to report a situation where my car has been keyed,” Usher said. “…It happened last night apparently. I called [last night] and filed a complaint because of a potential domestic violence [situation] between me and my ex-wife. She had come to my house. They sent the police here last night; we filed a complaint.”
In response to the tape’s release a rep for Foster told MTV News the story is “totally preposterous” and “did not happen.”
Hear the 911 call here.
Recording Artist Usher attends the 6th annual Do Something Awards at The Apollo Theater on June 4, 2009 in New York City..6th Annual Do Something Awards.The Apollo Theater.New York, NY United States.June 4, 2009.Photo by Jason Kempin/WireImage.com..To license this image (57603393), contact WireImage.com
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Recording Artist Usher attends the 6th annual Do Something Awards at The Apollo Theater on June 4, 2009 in New York City..6th Annual Do Something Awards.The Apollo Theater.New York, NY United States.June 4, 2009.Photo by Jason Kempin/WireImage.com..To license this image (57603387), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Singer Usher attends the 6th Annual Do Something Awards at The Apollo Theater on June 4, 2009 in New York City..6th Annual Do Something Awards.The Apollo Theater.New York, NY United States.June 4, 2009.Photo by Mike Coppola/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (57604596), contact FilmMagic.com
WireImage.com
Singer Usher attends the 6th Annual Do Something Awards at The Apollo Theater on June 4, 2009 in New York City..6th Annual Do Something Awards.The Apollo Theater.New York, NY United States.June 4, 2009.Photo by Mike Coppola/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (57604602), contact FilmMagic.com
WireImage.com
(L-R) Maryam Saghatelian, AVP of Cartier Beverly Hills, musician Usher, Larissa Sabadash and President and CEO of Cartier North America Frederic De Narp attend the Cartier 100th Anniversary In America Celebration at the Cartier Boutique on June 3, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California..Cartier 100th Anniversary Exhibition and Cocktail.Cartier Boutique.Beverly Hills, CA United States.June 3, 2009.Photo by Donato Sardella/WireImage.com..To license this image (57597518), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Musician Usher attends the Cartier 100th Anniversary In America Celebration at the Cartier Boutique on June 3, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California..Cartier 100th Anniversary Exhibition and Cocktail.Cartier Boutique.Beverly Hills, CA United States.June 3, 2009.Photo by Donato Sardella/WireImage.com..To license this image (57597472), contact WireImage.com
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Musician Usher attends the Cartier 100th Anniversary In America Celebration at the Cartier Boutique on June 3, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California..Cartier 100th Anniversary Exhibition and Cocktail.Cartier Boutique.Beverly Hills, CA United States.June 3, 2009.Photo by Donato Sardella/WireImage.com..To license this image (57597468), contact WireImage.com
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Usher and Kanye West at MTV and ServiceNation’s “Be the Change: Live From The Inaugural Ball” at the Washington Hilton on January 20, 2009 in Washington, D.C..MTV and ServiceNation’s “Be The Change: Live From The Inaugural Ball”.Washington Hilton.Washington, DC United States.January 20, 2009.Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com..To license this image (16491330), contact WireImage.com
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Usher and Rosario Dawson at MTV and ServiceNation’s “Be the Change: Live From The Inaugural Ball” at the Washington Hilton on January 20, 2009 in Washington, D.C..MTV and ServiceNation’s “Be The Change: Live From The Inaugural Ball”.Washington Hilton.Washington, DC United States.January 20, 2009.Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com..To license this image (16491244), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Rosario Dawson and Usher at MTV and ServiceNation’s “Be the Change: Live From The Inaugural Ball” at the Washington Hilton on January 20, 2009 in Washington, D.C..MTV and ServiceNation’s “Be The Change: Live From The Inaugural Ball”.Washington Hilton.Washington, DC United States.January 20, 2009.Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com..To license this image (16491143), contact WireImage.com
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Wizards forward Antawn Jamison will miss the rest of the team's exhibition games with a right shoulder injury. Jamison will be re-evaluated next week, after the swelling goes down. He had an MRI exam Thursday, a day after getting hurt while trying to block a shot by Zydrunas Ilgauskas in Washington's 109-104 preseason victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The NBA is making Gilbert Arenas — and the Washington Wizards — pay for his silence. Arenas and his team were fined $25,000 apiece Tuesday by the league because he has not been talking to the media during the preseason, including before and after exhibition games. The three-time All-Star point guard became one of the NBA's most popular players thanks in part to his engaging personality and a…
Filed under: News, The Economy
My mother gave birth to me when she was 17-years old. As a teen mother who didn’t have a lot of money, she didn’t know the first thing about raising a child, taking care of her health, or preparing for her economic future. Fortunately, there were adults in community-based programs who cared enough to teach her the things that she didn’t yet understand.
It is for that reason I support programs like The Health Babies Project in Washington, DC. There is no more important job than that of a mother, and The Healthy Babies Project understands that. The great challenge for the organization is that politicians seem to remember that babies don’t vote. So, when the funds are low, programs like this one are among the first to be killed.
Due to recent budget cuts, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty has allowed for the program’s budget to lose a whopping $500,000 per year, well over half of the funding that the program needs in order to operate. Dr. Pierre Vigilance, Director of the Department of Public Health, has played his role in the process by allowing funding to be cut that had been previously promised to the organization. What’s worse is that the program has been doing a better job than the Department of Health itself when it comes to reaching benchmarks on the elimination of infant mortality.
The unborn babies can’t quite speak for themselves, but their mothers aren’t taking this lying down. The organization is planning a rally Tuesday, October 6 in Freedom’s Plaza, located on Pennsylvania Avenue. The women being supported by the program are also working the phones to hold local officials accountable and are even pushing to get the attention of First Lady Michelle Obama.
Programs like The Healthy Babies Project are important, since infant mortality in the black community is 2.3 times greater than that for white Americans. Additionally, persistent problems in the DC area, such as HIV infection and malnutrition require continuous dedication from public officials. One can understand the idea of cutting a program that isn’t working. But if a program is doing well, and goals are being reached, why would this be the program that gets one of the most significant funding cuts in the city?
Perhaps we are getting a chance to see DC politics at its finest. Politicians are going to be political, but our children need our support.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a professor at Syracuse University and author of the forthcoming book, “Black American Money.” To have Dr Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.
Gilbert Arenas took part in five-on-five halfcourt drills at Washington Wizards practice on Friday after sitting out scrimmages the previous two days. Wizards first-year coach Flip Saunders says the oft-injured Arenas has taken part in just about everything during training camp but a dislocated finger sidelined him for the scrimmages.
Matthew Stafford held his head down on the bench for the final snap. Dominic Raiola couldn't watch, either, fearing a 20th loss in a row and 100th setback of his nine-season career. When Detroit's leaders looked up and saw Washington was out of time, they saw what they were hoping to see Sunday.
Tom Brady zipped passes from 10 yards, lofted softer ones from 25 and showed no sign that his shoulder hurt. It certainly was much better at Tuesday's practice than it was four days earlier when 350-pound Albert Haynesworth of the Washington Redskins landed on him, forcing his throwing shoulder into the ground on an incomplete pass.
Adam Wainwright won his major league-leading 16th game and Albert Pujols had the go-ahead hit in the sixth inning, helping the St. Louis Cardinals complete a three-game sweep of the Washington Nationals with a 2-1 victory on Sunday. Colby Rasmus had two hits and scored twice for the NL Central leaders, who have won five of six and are 29-4 since July 1 in starts by their top three — Wainwright,…