South Carolina State

Columbus, OH

Los Angeles, CA

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Herbie J Pilato

It's been more than four decades since former child star William “Billie” Thomas Jr. died in Los Angeles of a heart attack at only 49 on October 10, 1980. Best known as "Buckwheat," the character he portrayed in the original Hal Roach-ignited Our Gang/Little Rascals classic film shorts from 1934 to 1944, Thomas faced similar challenges and misfortunes of several of his co-stars and other former child actors. This is his story.

Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas - 'Little Rascals'/'Our Gang' Child Star: 44 Years After His Tragic Death

The company is rebranding to reflect its evolution into a “trusted connectivity partner.”. As it “enters a new chapter in its history,” in which it is seeking to “earn back the heart and trust” of local customers, Liberty Puerto Rico announced the launch of a new fixed and mobile offer, Liberty Loop, along with an ad campaign focused on what it will do differently moving forward.

Liberty Puerto Rico seeks to win back customers’ trust, launches Liberty Loop

Lynchburg, TN

TIME

Jack Daniel, the man, fostered inclusion in an improbable time and place: the post-Civil War South.

Jack Daniel Knew the Value of Inclusion

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Alamogordo Conservative Daily

Command Sgt. Maj. Harold “Ed” Jarrell has been relieved as the senior enlisted for the Army’s 1st Information Operations Command, an Army spokesperson confirmed, marking the third time within a month and the second within a week, that the Army has fired a command sergeant major of a brigade or larger unit as per Task and Purpose.

The Army Fires 3rd Command Sergeant Major in a Month: Command Sgt. Maj. Harold "Ed" Jarrel

The Oklahoma City Sentinel

The proliferation of mandatory “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) trainings in workplaces since 2020 has generated a raft of lawsuits nationwide.
                (https://www.oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=osage&number=CV-2023-00034&cmid=2111069 )
                One notable case, still ongoing, has been filed in Oklahoma.
                (https://advancingdei.meltzercenter.org/cases/ )
                The Meltzer Center for Diversity,...

DEI Trainings spark workplace lawsuits

Georgia State

Dacula, GA

CDLLife

A Georgia man has been sentenced to federal prison for operating illegal trucking businesses and for stealing pandemic relief funds. 
The post Georgia man sentenced to federal prison for operating illegal trucking businesses, PPP fraud appeared first on CDLLife.

Georgia man sentenced to federal prison for operating illegal trucking businesses, PPP fraud

Salem, OH

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Northern Kentucky Tribune

Every day, 8-year-old Emma sits in a small garden outside her grandmother’s home in Salem, Ohio, writing letters to her mom and sometimes singing songs her mother used to sing to her.

Thousands of parents die of overdoses; advocates say their kids need more help

Plymouth, MA

Dianna Carney

The Plymouth Public Library Foundation has announced the return of its Annual Arts and Crafts Festival, a two-day celebration that promises to be a highlight of the summer season. Set to take place on the scenic Plymouth Public Library Lawn, the festival will run from 10 AM to 4 PM on both Saturday, August 10th, and Sunday, August 11th. This family-friendly event is designed to offer something for everyone, making it a perfect outing for people of all ages.

50+ Artisans, Food Trucks & More: Get Ready For The 5th Annual Arts and Crafts Festival

Daily Coffee Press

According to officials with the Southern District of Georgia, two recently unsealed federal indictments have charged 23 defendants in a series of broad conspiracies involving the use of drones to smuggle methamphetamine, marijuana, and cell phones into state prisons in Georgia.

23 Defendants Charged in Federal Indictments for Drone-Smuggling Drug Operation in Georgia

Washington, DC

Washington, DC, Councilman Trayon White allegedly engaged in a bribery scheme to use his elected position to keep government contracts flowing to two companies, federal prosecutors say, accepting envelopes with thousands of dollars in cash and lucrative kickbacks.

DC councilman arrested in alleged $156,000 bribery scheme to push violence prevention contracts for kickbacks

Adam Rich was born on October 12, 1968, lived a troubled life, and died on January 7, 2023, at only 54 years old. This is his story. He lived in the Granada Hills area of Los Angeles with his parents and younger brother. The Rich family resided for a time in Florida where Adam studied acting at the local gym.

A Look Back at the Tragic Life and Death of Former Child Star Adam Rich (TV's 'Eight is Enough')

Oakland, CA

Through their foundation, Stephen and Ayesha Curry plan to invest $25 million in Oakland, CA, over the next five years. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, the couple are founders of the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, which is intended to improve the lives of children through increased literacy rates, healthy meals, and opportunities for active lifestyles. Their work is being carried out in their “adopted hometown” of Oakland.

Stephen And Ayesha Curry Will Invest $25M Over The Next 5 Years To Improve Financial Literacy For Students In Oakland, CA

Louisiana State

The Lens

During my childhood, when my family visited relatives “across the river,” in Bayou Plaquemine, Bayou Goula, Caddo, the Pointe, and White Castle, my siblings and I would sometimes race up and down the levees, some distance away from the cows grazing there. At the summit of the hill, you could see the Mississippi River waters through stands of trees and brush. It never occurred to me that our “playground” was the living testimony of Black men, prisoners of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola whom the state of Louisiana had re-enslaved in the convict leasing system.

No longer ‘half slave, half free’

Pennsylvania State

Pine Grove, PA

The Shenandoah (PA) Sentinel

PINE GROVE – Independent pharmacies in Pennsylvania have been closing rapidly in recent years, and...
The post New law helps level playing field between independent, chain pharmacies, proponents say first appeared on The Shenandoah Sentinel.

New law helps level playing field between independent, chain pharmacies, proponents say

Los Angeles County, CA

[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, quotes and commentary in this article are from interviews conducted by the author with those mentioned.]. The multi-Emmy-nominated actress and political advocate Elizabeth Montgomery (who died of cancer in 1981) was upset upon learning that Jonathan White, the son of her Bewitched co-star David White (who died of a heart attack in 1990), had perished in the horrific Pan-Am incident over Lockerbie in 1988.

Liz Montgomery Was "Furious" 'Bewitched' Co-Star David White Lost Son in 1988 Pan-Am/Lockerbie Crash

NBC News

Home goods retailer Lowe's is paring back its efforts to promote LGBTQ inclusion — the latest large company to respond to a growing cultural backlash led by conservatives targeting queer representation in public life. In an internal company memo being widely shared among media organizations, Lowe's told employees it...

Lowe's becomes latest company to dial back DEI efforts aimed at LGBTQ groups

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Today

A historic marker could be erected to honor the victims of the racist mass shooting at the Dollar General store in Jacksonville’s New Town neighborhood nearly a year ago. If approved by the Jacksonville City Council, a marker would be installed at Kings Road and Canal Street on Aug. 25, a day before the first anniversary of the shooting, when a white gunman took the lives of three Black people.

Memorial considered to honor Dollar General victims

The Current GA

A state Supreme Court’s decision reversing a lower court’s ruling that a private contractor was exempt from the Georgia Open Records Act is being hailed as a win for open government.

State Supreme Court rules Open Records Act applies to private contractors working for governments

Iowa State

Illinois State

If we don’t tell our own stories, someone else with an ugly agenda will happily fill in the gaps for us. Last week was a bit of a whirlwind as I spoke at ag conferences in Illinois and Iowa. During my road trip, I met so many incredible people...

It’s time to put on the advocacy hat

This year’s area of low oxygen in the Gulf of Mexico is larger than average, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced on Thursday. The “dead zone” is approximately 6,705 square miles , as measured last week. Within NOAA’s 38 years of measuring the dead zone, this year’s assessment marks the 12th-largest area of low to no oxygen, which can kill fish and marine life.

Gulf ‘dead zone’ larger than average, larger than expected for 2024, scientists announce

NewsBreak

SCDE launches initiative utilizing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s message of hope and unity

The SC Department of Education (SCDE) recently unveiled a new initiative to provide high-quality civics education resources to South Carolina teachers and students at no cost...

SCDE launches initiative utilizing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s message of hope and unity

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