Rep. John Lewis Announces He Has Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer


This report was published on YouTube on December 29.

A Special Song for Congressman Lewis

Recognizing that he's preparing for the battle of his life, From The G-Man dedicates the following song to Rep. Lewis. Fight on, Congressman Lewis. Fight on. 


Robert Weissman on Senate Impeachment Trial Recommendations


Public Citizen president Robert Weissman talked about his group’s report on how the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump should be conducted.

Researchers Find Possible Evidence of Mass Graves from 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre


The Oklahoma Archeological Survey conducted a geophysical survey of areas of soil in October.

Click here for the report. 

Source: The Huffington Post

Friday, December 27, 2019

Make-A-Wish America: Piper's Wish Transforms an Entire Family’s Life


This video was published on YouTube on December 19. 

Make-A-Wish America: Piper’s wish for adaptive ski equipment was an opportunity for her whole family to find more joy and hope than ever before as a family – and it provided 7-year-old Piper with a chance to experience life beyond her nervous system disorder.

Saving Our Youth: Rival Gangs Unite for Change


This video was published on YouTube on September 10, 2019. 

Freethink: What do you get when former Bloods and Crips gang leaders come together? Original Gangsters United a pathway to ending gang opposition, promoting peace, and saving younger generations from senseless violence. 

Antong Lucky is a former Bloods gang leader in Dallas, Texas. Like most children, Antong never aspired to be a part of a gang or to end up in prison. But sadly, many communities affected by peer pressure and gang violence leave kids with no choice. 

When Antong left prison, he began working to bring opposing Dallas gang leaders together to put an end to gang violence. And it worked.

Click here for additional information. 

Historical Perspectives: Footage of Harlem, New York (1930-1939)


This video was published on YouTube on April 13, 2014. 

Source: British Pathé

The Harlem Globetrotters in Sierra Vista (1978)


This video was published on YouTube on November 5, 2017. 

The Museum of Classic Chicago Television: Here's a lengthy excerpt of ABC Wide World of Sports as aired on WLS Channel 7, spotlighting a (mostly complete) appearance by the Harlem Globetrotters at their training camp in the Barnes Field House at Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista, AZ, playing against the New Jersey Reds. The play-by-play for this game, such as it was, was called by Howard Cosell. 

The roster of the "Clown Princes of Basketball," as of this appearance consisted of Meadowlark Lemon (#36; who would announce his retirement from the team later in the year), Curly Neal (#22), Nate Branch (#32), Geese Ausbie (#35), Jerry Venable (#38), Twiggy Sanders (#42), Mel Davis (#19), Marques Haynes (#20), John Smith (#24), Dallas Thornton (#10) and Wolfman Lee (#34). Reds players include General Holman and (?) Buckner (#11). The referee is Andy Johnson, joined in the course of the game in officiating by Riley Pitkoff and Bruce Briggs. 

The play-by-play (with some shots of a banner saying "Sierra Vista / Ft. Huachucha[sic] Welcomes ABC-TV") is intermixed with behind-the-scenes with the team, and recurring filmed segments about various legends retold Globetrotters style (narrated by Fred Foy).

Click here for additional information. 

The Heroes of 2019


This report was published on YouTube on December 22.

The Rikers Coffee Academy


Can teaching inmates to make lattes give them a chance at a better future?

Click here for the report.

Source: The New York Times 

Rookie NYPD Officer Wants to Bridge Gap Between Police and Deaf Community

 Probationary Police Officer Angel Familia

Click here for the report.

Source: The New York Daily News

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Korey Wise of the Exonerated 5 Plays Santa, Gives Out Gifts in Harlem

 
Wise, a subject of Ava Duvernay’s “When They See Us,” was exonerated in 2002 after serving 14 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

Click here for the report.

Source: The Huffington Post

Historical Perspectives: Journalism and 'Fake News'

 
This report was originally broadcast on November 12. 

C-SPAN: Hillsdale College Journalism Director John Miller discussed the history of journalism and fake news at an event hosted by the Liberty Forum of Silicon Valley in Mountain View, California.

Click here for video. 

Peter Thiel on Technology Innovation and Globalization

 
C-SPAN: Thiel, a technology entrepreneur and venture capitalist, talked about the U.S. rivalry with China, globalization and the end of the computer age at a Manhattan Institute dinner in New York City.

Click here for video.

Happening in Harlem: Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. to Discuss New Book


On December 27 at 11 a.m., Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. will discuss his new book, Keeping Hope Alive: Sermons and Speeches of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. with Grace Ji-Sun Kim. Rev. Al Sharpton, President & Founder of the National Action Network (NAN), community leaders and elected officials will be in attendance.

The event will be held at NAN's House of Justice, which is located at 106 W 145th Street and Malcolm X Boulevard.  

Source: Rachel Noerdlinger

Monday, December 23, 2019

Christianity Today Editor Reveals the Point Trump ‘Crossed The Line’ for Him


Mark Galli says it’s strange that people who “take the teachings of Jesus Christ seriously” can’t see that Trump’s character is “deeply concerning.”

Click here for the report. 

Source: The Huffington Post

When Native Americans Are Told To ‘Go Back’ To Where They Came From


The Absurdity of a White Supremacist Slur Laid Bare.

Click here for the report. 

Source: The Huffington Post

Cuomo Signs the 'Safe Way Home Act' Into Law

 
Governor Andrew Cuomo today signed into law the "Safe Way Home Act" (S.3966A/A5775). The legislation provides survivors of sexual assault no-cost transportation from medical facilities where they received initial care in the wake of an assault to their home or a shelter.

"Sexual assault is a heinous crime that can have devastating impacts on survivors, especially in the immediate aftermath of the abuse they suffered," Governor Cuomo said. "This measure will provide some peace of mind and security at a time when victims are most vulnerable by helping ensure they get home or to a shelter safely."

This legislation will go into effect after 90 days.

Senator Julia Salazar said, "The Safe Way Home Act is an important victory for survivors of sexual violence, and its creation was directly informed by one of our constituents who survived sexual violence. Through this law, we are demonstrating to survivors that ensuring their safety, and the safety of crime victim advocates supporting them, is a top priority. Thank you to the Governor's office and Assemblyman Lentol for partnering with us to make the Safe Way Home Act a reality."

Assemblyman Joseph R. Lentol said, "The Safe Way Home Act will provide safety and peace of mind by ensuring that survivors will not be burdened with the logistics of or paying for transportation home. This legislation is the perfect example of community activism coming to fruition. I am very proud to work with Deborah Spiroff on this important measure that will aid victims of sexual assault. I thank Senator Salazar for sponsoring this legislation in the Senate and applaud Governor Cuomo for signing this important measure that will go a long way to aid survivors of sexual violence."

For more information, eligibility guidelines and to locate a victim assistance program, visit this site or call 1-800-247-8035.

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

Terry Jeffrey Discusses Efforts to Reduce the National Debt


C-SPAN: CNS News Editor in Chief Terry Jeffrey discusses the rising federal deficit and efforts to reduce the national debt.

'Tis the Season: 5,600 Toys, Coats and School Supplies Distributed Across New York State

 
Members of the Governor Andrew Cuomo's administration participated in volunteer events held at 15 organizations statewide, distributing over 5,600 toys, coats and school supplies to communities in need. Volunteers from the Producers Guild of America participated in collecting and sorting donations through the Film Good/Do Good program for the fourth year in a row.

"New Yorkers believe in the spirit of helping those who need it most, and I was proud to continue this fantastic tradition distributing toys, coats and school supplies to children across New York," Governor Cuomo said. "I am thankful to those who donated and participated in this year's incredible events - with their help we were able to bring a little extra light and joy to many families this holiday season."

A number of state agencies and organizations collected new unwrapped toys, coats and school supplies that were provided by businesses and individuals and brought to drop-off locations across the state. Donations were also collected by organizations at holiday gatherings ahead of the distribution events. The Office of General Services and Department of Transportation, with support from other agencies, delivered over 5,600 items to distribution locations across New York.

A number of New York-based TV Series and Producers Guild of America members placed drop-off boxes on soundstages to collect donations, including: Almost Family, Dickinson,     FBI: Most Wanted, The Gilded Age, God Friended Me, High Maintenance, Iguana, Law & Order: SVU, Love Life, Manifest, Power Book II: Ghost, Sesame Street and Tommy.

Volunteers from the China General Chamber of Commerce also participated in collecting and sorting donations for the Governor's holiday drive - the second year in a row that the CGCC has participated.

The total number of toys, coats and school supplies distributed in each region include:

Region
Toys, Coats and School Supplies
Capital Region
591
Central New York
586
Finger Lakes
344
Mid-Hudson Valley
307
Mohawk Valley
276
NYC and Long Island
2,320
North Country
527
Southern Tier
264
Western New York
419
TOTAL
5,634

Film Good/Do Good is the first and only state government-organized community giveback program in the nation that is tailored specifically to the film and television industry. This partnership between the Governor's Office for Motion Picture and Television Development, the New York State Commission on National and Community Service and New York Cares encourages opportunities for film and television productions to offer hands-on volunteer service to nonprofit organizations in communities in which they film, and amplifies the benefit productions bring to New York State beyond the economic footprint. 

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

'Future Hope' Column: A Winning Strategy for Power, Already Underway!

 
By Ted Glick 

How can we truly turn things around, bring about revolutionary change in our badly wounded, struggling world? For those of us who identify with the up-and-down, historical struggle for a world where its resources and decision-making are shared among all in a just way, and democracy and human rights are for real, it is important that most of us agree in general on the main outlines of a strategy for such a change.

Having a strategy is, in essence, like having a well thought-out plan. If you’re going to get from point A to point B, and it’s not an easy path, you need to figure out how you are going to do so, how you will overcome the many obstacles in your way and make it to your point B objective. Making a revolution in the USA for sure needs a clear, understandable, thoughtful plan grounded in reality, not up-in-the-air wishes or dreams.

Down through history people on the Left have often been at odds over key strategic questions: what about third party vs. work in the Democratic Party; is the working class THE key sector and what is the working class today anyway; the issue of class vs. intersectionality vs. not seeing them as either/or; the kind of organizations(s) needed to give leadership to the struggle for transformational change; and more.

Click here for the full article. 

Source: tedglick.com

Environmental Justice Advisory Board and Interagency Coordinating Council Established in New York

The Power of the Pen

Governor Andrew Cuomo today signed legislation (S.2385/A.1564) to create a permanent Environmental Justice Advisory Board and Interagency Coordinating Council. The Advisory Board will create a model environmental justice policy that ensures that New Yorkers, regardless of race, income, gender and national origin, have a right to fair treatment and meaningful involvement in the development of regulations and policies that affect the quality of their environment. The Interagency Coordinating Council will provide guidance to each state agency implementing environmental justice policies.

"For too long, low-income and minority communities disproportionately shouldered some of the worst environmental impacts, in some cases leading to severe asthma rates and other lifelong health issues," Governor Cuomo said. "Empaneling these advisory bodies will help right that historic wrong by ensuring those very communities have a seat at the table as we develop environmental justice policies and other measures to combat climate change." 

The Environmental Justice Advisory Board will be appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders. Duties of the Advisory board will be to adopt a model environmental justice policy that is applicable to the work of state agencies, recommend improvements on environmental justice policy to the Governor and Legislature and comment on any proposed environmental rules by the State or Federal government relevant to environmental justice. The 16-member Advisory Board will be comprised of 5 representatives from community-based organizations who advise and assist minority and low-income communities on environmental matters, 4 representatives from the business community and 7 representatives from state or national organizations who promote environmental conservation research and education.

The Environmental Justice Interagency Coordinating Council will be comprised of Commissioners from various agencies including the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation, Commissioner of Economic Development, Commissioner of the Department of Transportation, President of the Environmental Facilities Corporation, President of NYSERDA, Chairman of the Power Authority as well as environmental justice coordinators designated by affected agencies. Duties of the Interagency Coordinating Council will be to provide guidance to state agencies that are adopting Environmental Justice policies and serving as a clearinghouse of information on environmental justice for state agencies and the public by maintaining publicly available resources.

Senator Kevin Parker said, "These new advisory bodies will help guide New York as we move forward and correct longstanding environmental injustices. Every person, no matter their race, religion, income or national origin, has a right to have their voice heard on policy decisions that affect their environment. I want to thank Governor Cuomo for signing this critical legislation and leading the way for a greener New York."

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo

2019 Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) Awards


The video was published on YouTube on December 19.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that more than $761 million in economic and community development funding has been awarded through Round IX of the Regional Economic Development Council initiative. 


Since its inception in 2011, over $6.9 billion has been awarded to more than 8,300 projects that are projected to create and retain more than 240,000 jobs statewide through the REDC process.

Source: NYGovCuomo