News

At Presidential Medal of Freedom Awards: Lowery continues quest for justice

Friday, 21 August 2009 13:49 Hazel Trice Edney, NNPA Editor-in-Chief

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – Within the same hour that the Rev. Joseph Lowery received America’s highest civilian honor, the civil rights icon – still at the White House – declared war on the “myth” that America is now a “post-racial” nation.

Eldoret Kenya to receive fire truck from Sister City Minneapolis

Tuesday, 18 August 2009 16:19

After many visits to the Twin Cities by the Eldoret City Council and three years of conversations between Sister Cities’ Minneapolis and Eldoret Kenya, the International Leadership Institute announced that Minneapolis had donated a Fire Engine Pumper Truck to Eldoret from their relationship developed during the past 10 years. The Pumper Truck was presented to the Institute and ILI Sister City Committee for the City of Eldoret Kenya August 17, 2009 at Minneapolis Fire Station #17 (4th Avenue and 38th Street) with city official and Kenyan community members present.

Klobuchar introduces legislation to protect and support seniors

Tuesday, 18 August 2009 16:16

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy held a public roundtable with representatives from the caregiving and care service community Monday to discuss how to best help relieve the burden on older Americans and those who care for them. Noting that Minnesota’s senior population is expected to more than double by 2035 with the aging of the Baby Boom generation, Klobuchar spoke about how to best help relieve the burden on older Americans and those who care for them.

New Miss Black USA says she's no 'Pageant Girl'

Monday, 17 August 2009 12:30 Pharoh Martin, NNPA National Correspondent

WASHINGTON (NNPA) - Even after they announced her name and proclaimed Miss Pennsylvania as the new Miss Black USA, Shayna Rudd didn't realize that she had just won. It wasn't until her pageant roommate Miss Black Alabama squeezed her hand really, really tight that it finally sunk in that she was the 2009 title holder.

''It was really surprising because all of the ladies were so fabulous,'' Rudd says about her big win at the University of District of Columbia Theater on Aug. 3. ''I have gotten to the point of the competition where I wasn't worried about winning. I was just worried about doing my very best because it was my last pageant. So, I just wanted to have a good time.''

Dennis F. Hightower confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Commerce

Monday, 17 August 2009 12:09

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate last week confirmed Dennis F. Hightower as Deputy Secretary of Commerce by unanimous consent. Hightower, a seasoned business executive with a 40-year career in the public and private sectors, takes over general management of the Department of Commerce, an organization with nearly 38,000 employees and an operating budget of over $17 billion.

North Carolina legislature passes historic Racial Justice Act: Becomes first state in South to allow death row inmates to challenge racial fairness of their sentencing

Monday, 17 August 2009 11:49

WASHINGTON, DC --The NAACP announced last week that the North Carolina State Legislature passed the North Carolina Racial Justice Act. This Act, the first of its kind, will allow inmates sentenced to death, to challenge the racial fairness of their sentencing.

Independence Day Message by The Prime Minister of Jamaica, The Hon. Bruce Golding

Friday, 14 August 2009 16:12

My fellow Jamaicans, here at home and wherever in the world you may
be. We mark the 47th anniversary of our independence at a time when
Jamaica, like every other country, is feeling the effects of the
global economic crisis. Our economy has come under severe pressure and
I know that many Jamaicans are experiencing additional hardship in
their daily lives.

Klobuchar statement on confirmation of Todd Jones as U.S. Attorney for Minnesota

Friday, 14 August 2009 16:08

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar released the following statement on the Senate confirmation of B. Todd Jones as U.S. Attorney for Minnesota. In March, Klobuchar recommended Jones for the position. Jones is one of only five new U.S. Attorneys confirmed by the Senate this Congress.

Sotomayor sworn in; becomes High Court’s first Hispanic Justice

Friday, 14 August 2009 15:29 Dorothy Rowley, Special to the NNPA from the Afro-American Newspapers

WASHINGTON (NNPA) - During a brief ceremony August 8, at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., Sonia Sotomayor became its first Hispanic justice and only the third woman in the court's 220-year history.

Obama administration officials discuss educating communities on emerging opportunities in the clean energy economy

Wednesday, 05 August 2009 16:22

WASHINGTON - Members of President Obama’s Green Cabinet and the community engagement campaign, Green the Block, met in Washington today to discuss ways to ensure that opportunities from the new green economy are available to a broad cross section of the American people.

President Obama names Medal of Freedom recipients

Friday, 31 July 2009 16:18

WASHINGTON – President Obama today named 16 recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom. America’s highest civilian honor, the Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals who make an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.