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Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, Ohio's leader in Black digital news

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 31 May 2023 17:54

Rock and soul icon Tina Turner dead at age 83

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Tina Turner — one of rock and soul music’s greatest icons and comeback stories — has died, leaving a seven-decade legacy that blazed a trail for divas like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, Amy Winehouse, Jazmine Sullivan and Annie Lennox. In a statement released Wednesday, her representative announced: “Tina Turner, the ‘Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll,’ has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model.”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE AT YAHOO.COM

Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, the most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog in Ohio and in the Midwest. Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com. We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview, CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.

City of Cleveland expands gun shotspotter detection technology to all 5 neighborhood police districts to deter crime

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CLEVELAND, Ohio- Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb, Chief Director of Public Safety Karrie D. Howard and Police Chief Wayne Drummond announced on Tuesday that the city of Cleveland has expanded ShotSpotter technology to all five neighborhood police districts in an ongoing effort to combat gun violence in neighborhoods.

The Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) launched a pilot program in 2020 to use ShotSpotter technology on a three-year lease in the fourth district. Since then, the system has reportedly detected more than 10,000 incidents, including over 24,000 rounds fired.


City officials say the technology was instrumental in saving 12 lives, as victims were provided immediate medical aid by both police officers and Emergency Medical Service. ShotSpotter has also helped law enforcement take some 66 firearms off the streets of Cleveland.


“The results of Cleveland’s ShotSpotter pilot show that this technology is effective and is making a difference,” said Mayor Bibb. “ShotSpotter is one of many tools we are incorporating in our fight against gun violence. We are focused on investing in technology and intelligence to reduce gun homicides in our city.”


Chief Drummond added that “the ShotSpotter technology is an incredibly important element that is greatly improving the capabilities of police officers to act swiftly in the event of critical incidents.”


Studies show that more than 80 percent of gunfire incidents are not reported to 9-1-1 in low income urban neighborhoods. ShotSpotter helps law enforcement to identify and locate incidents of outdoor gun violence that may have gone unreported to law enforcement. Alerts are sent within 60 seconds of gunshots, notifying officers precisely when and where gun incidents occur, allowing for a fast, location specific response that can save lives and preserve evidence.


The ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology uses a series of acoustic sensors deployed atop light posts and buildings. Upon recognizing gunfire, the sensors work instantly to triangulate the sound and pinpoint the location and number of shots fired. Expertly trained ShotSpotter acoustic professionals are available 24/7 to review and qualify all gunfire incidents before sending an alert. There have been, however, concerns, raised by the ACLU  about effectiveness, reliability, privacy, and equity. The company, SoundThinking Inc., which was formerly ShotSpotter Inc, has been partnering with cities and police since 1997, and as of 2023 has been utilized by more than 150 cities and law enforcement agencies in the U.S.

By providing a more accurate location to a crime scene, the technology is designed to help responding officers collect additional evidence, like shell casings, they may have otherwise not been able to find.

 

This also helps detectives, who can use the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) to compare evidence from other crime scenes and uncover patterns.


An August 2021 study that looked at the technology’s use in Pittsburgh showed that 96 percent of shots were located within 50 feet or less and an audit released two weeks ago by an independent data science firm in Washington D.C. confirmed that citing an accuracy rate of over 97 percent. In Oakland, 101 gunshot wound victims were located and kept alive due to the technology, and the Albuquerque Police Department reported finding and coordinating EMS response for 179 gunshot wound victims in less than 11 months due to the technology’s alerts.


The ShotSpotter expansion is funded through a $2.76 million American Rescue Plan allocation. The administration also issued an RFP through the Department of Urban Analytics and is finalizing a contract with Cleveland State University’s Criminology Research Center (Crim Center) to independently evaluate ShotSpotter’s effectiveness as well as determine its impact on building community trust.

Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, the most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog in Ohio and in the Midwest. Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com. We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview, CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 31 May 2023 18:27

NAACP calls for Blacks to avoid travel to Florida and Governor DeSantis for mistreating Blacks and restricting diversity and equity....The NAACP says that Florida has become openly hostile toward Blacks

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WASHINGTON – The NAACP Board of Directors on Sunday issued a formal travel advisory for the state of Florida in direct response to Gov. Ron DeSantis' aggressive attempts to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools. DeSantis is scheduled to announce his 2024 bid for president this week on Twitter, becoming former president Donald Trump's to rival for the Republican nomination.

 

The formal travel notice states the following:

"Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color."

NAACP officials said Sunday that Blacks and other marginalized groups will not be written out of history books in Florida and denied inclusion in any shape of form by policy makers, self-serving and anti-Black politicians like DeSantis, and other stakeholders without a fight.

"Let me be clear - failing to teach an accurate representation of the horrors and inequalities that Black Americans have faced and continue to face is a disservice to students and a dereliction of duty to all," said NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson. "Under the leadership of Governor Desantis, the state of Florida has become hostile to Black Americans and in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon. He should know that democracy will prevail because its defenders are prepared to stand up and fight. We're not backing down, and we encourage our allies to join us in the battle for the soul of our nation."

The travel advisory was initially proposed to the Board of Directors by NAACP's Florida State Conference. NAACP's collective consideration of this advisory is a result from unrelenting attacks on fundamental freedoms from the Governor and his legislative body.

"Once again, hate-inspired state leaders have chosen to put politics over people. Governor Ron DeSantis and the state of Florida have engaged in a blatant war against principles of diversity and inclusion and rejected our shared identities to appeal to a dangerous, extremist minority," said NAACP Board of Directors Chairman Leon Russell. "We will not not allow our rights and history to be held hostage for political grandstanding. The NAACP proudly fights against the malicious attacks in Florida, against Black Americans. I encourage my fellow Floridians to join in this fight to protect ourselves and our democracy."

Following Gov. DeSantis' so-called leadership in driving the state to reject students' access to AP African American studies course in March, the NAACP distributed 10,000 books to 25 predominantly Black communities across the state in collaboration with the American Federation of Teachers's Reading Opens the World program. The majority of the books donated were titles banned under the state's increasingly restrictive laws. The NAACP continues to encourage local branches and youth councils to start community libraries to ensure access to representative literature.

The NAACP encourages Florida residents to join this effort to defeat the regressive policies of this Governor and this state legislature. Interested residents and supporters can visit www.naacp.org for additional information and updates.

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About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Its legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.


Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, the most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog in Ohio and in the Midwest. Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com. We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview, CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.

Last Updated on Sunday, 04 June 2023 13:55

National Treasure wins the Preakness and denies Derby winner Mage a possible Triple Crown

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Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, Ohio's most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog.Tel: (216) 659-0473 and Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com.

BALTIMORE, Maryland-National Treasure edged Blazing Stevens, who came in second, and Derby winner Mage, who placed third, to win the 148th running of the Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.

The win gives veteran jockey John Velazquez another victory, as well as trainer Bob Baffert, who now has won at the Preakness a historical eight times. Had Mage won the Preakness and subsequently the Belmont Stakes next month in New York, the second and third legs of the Triple Crown, the colt would have won the Triple Crown, which is now out of reach due to Saturday's third place finish.

Baffert had just finished completing a suspension for a failed drug test by his 2021 Kentucky Derby winner, Medina Spirit, and another horse he trained died before this year's Preakness. But he was elated Saturday.

“This business is twists and turns and ups and downs,” Baffert told NBC News after the race. “We had a horrible race [when Havnameltdown broke down]. I was totally wiped out after that horse got hurt."

National Treasure paid $7.80 to win. A $1 xacta paid out $15.90, the trifecta $24.20, and the superfecta, $72.40.
Pictured above after winning the 2023 Kentucky Derby race at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky two weeks ago, Mage was the favorite for the Preakness with better odds than the 15-1 odds he had for the Derby. In fact, Mage entered the Preakness with odds of 8-5 in comparison to 4-1 for National Treasure and odds of  6-1 for Blazing Stevens.

Preakness Stakes payouts to the horse winners on Saturday in Baltimore were $900,000, which National Treasure won as the first place winner,  $300,000 for Blazing Stevens, and $165,000 that went to Mage for finishing third. Fourth and fifth place finishers earned $90,000 and $45,000, respectively.

Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, the most read Black digital newspaper and Black blog in Ohio and in the Midwest. Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com. We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview, CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 31 May 2023 18:48

Ohio Senator Nickie Antonio condemns state Senate's passage of higher education bill that precludes union strikes and college diversity programs

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Today, Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood), a Lakewood Democrat whose 23rd state legislative district includes 14 of Cleveland's 17 wards, issued a statement after the Ohio Senate voted to pass Senate Bill 83, the highly controversial "Ohio Higher Education Enhancement Act."

"This bill is an egregious overreach by the Republican majority to micromanage Ohio's colleges and universities," said Antonio. "It is a bill that could silence Ohio's best and brightest. How are we as a state supposed to claim to educate future generations to the fullest without the discussion and understanding of all views and perspectives?

She branded the bill, Senate Bill 83, a  Republicans effort to limit diversity, equity, and inclusion from Ohio's institutions of higher learning

The measure passed the Senate 21-10 with all Democrats and three Republicans voting no. S.B. 83 now goes to the House for consideration, where its companion legislation, House Bill 151, received its second hearing today.


Among a litany of changes to Ohio's higher education laws, S.B. 83 would prohibit all higher education employees from striking and ban institutions from having mandated diversity, equity and inclusion programs. It also would bar colleges and universities from endorsing or opposing as an institution any controversial beliefs, policies, specified concepts or specified ideologies.

More than 300 Ohioans and organizations, including the American Association of University Professors Ohio Conference and Ohio Education Association, submitted testimony in opposition to S.B. 83 while it was receiving hearings in the Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee.

"Institutions of higher education are tasked with preparing our students for the workforce and to compete in a global economy," said Antonio. "It is our institutions that should be allowed to decide whether to require diversity, equity and inclusion efforts as part of their program. However, this bill will have a chilling effect on future students from having an ability to interact with other cultures or perspectives. Republicans devised this bill out of a seemingly desperate fear of a 'woke agenda.' But they should be afraid of the far more frightening impacts the bill will have by imposing it on nonconsenting students, faculty and institutions. Instead of advancing critical thinking, this bill stifles academic freedom."

Critics also argue that S B. 83 is an unnecessary infringement upon the principles of free speech and academic freedom that will discourage prospective students from attending colleges and universities in Ohio and professors from seeking employment at these institutions.

Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, the most read Black digital newspaper and blog in Ohio and in the Midwest Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com. We interviewed former president Barack Obama one-on-one when he was campaigning for president. As to the Obama interview, CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE AT CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS.


Last Updated on Saturday, 03 June 2023 21:10

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