ATLANTA (AP) — Hank Aaron, who endured racist threats with stoic dignity during his pursuit of Babe Ruth’s home run record and gracefully left his mark as one of baseball’s greatest all-around players, died Friday. He was 86. The Atlanta Braves, Aaron’s longtime team, said he died peacefully in his sleep. No cause was given. Aaron made his last public appearance just 2 1/2 weeks ago, when he received the COVID-19 vaccine. He said he wanted to help spread the to Black Americans that the vaccine was safe. “Hammerin’ Hank” set a wide array of career hitting records during a…
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NASHVILLE, TN – In Governor Bill Lee’s mind unwavering support of Donald Trump and a fiercely held belief in personal responsibility somehow co-exist. The coronavirus has no opinion about Trump or about Lee’s ethical beliefs. Unfortunately, both men woefully underestimated the virus and Tennesseans have paid a heavy price for their mistakes. Just before Christmas, Lee announced new COVID-19 cases increased by 90% from the previous week and that they were three times what they had been on Halloween. “We have seen firsthand that Thanksgiving gatherings and extended time indoors have been the principal driver in spreading COVID-19 like wildfire.…
Dear Editor, Republicans talk about the Constitution like they know what’s in it. They don’t. Most think the Constitution explicitly demands implementation of their political agenda, things like tax breaks for the rich, freedom from masks, special policing for minority areas, and keeping immigrants out of the country. It doesn’t. There are some things in the Republican platform that the Constitution does speak to, like religious freedom, freedom in the economy (but not a green light to oppress the poor), limited taxation, limited government, and fiscal responsibility. But Republicans haven’t been doing very well with all of this. They are…
By Curtis Bunn Early evening on the first Sunday of 2021, the Rev. Dr. Sylvester Beaman, already dressed in his pajamas, received a phone call from President-elect Joe Biden. It was not unusual for the pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Wilmington, Delaware, to hear from Biden. They developed a friendship over the last 28 years. But this call was different. The former vice president to Barack Obama, who will take over the presidency from Donald Trump on Wednesday, was not seeking spiritual counsel. Rather, he caught Beaman just before bed with an opportunity: Biden asked if Beaman…
COMMENTARY by K. Dawn Rutledge, Ed.D. It has been almost a year since the nation was put on high-alert that a deadly virus was swarming among us. The discovery of coronavirus last winter prompted lockdowns and stay-at-home orders throughout the country to help mitigate the spread of the virus. Many businesses were forced to implement telework structures to keep employees socially distanced. Other businesses turned to furloughs, while others even eliminated jobs in their organizations altogether. But there were many workers who did not have the luxury of staying at home. They continued to show up despite the uncertainties and…
NASHVILLE, TN — As COVID-19 vaccines begin to roll out across the country, you may find yourself wondering why clinical trials are continuing and if you should consider participating in a trial. Here below are answers to these commonly asked questions—and a few others—to help you better understand the trials and why some doctors continue to encourage enrollment. By participating in a COVID-19 clinical trial, you may receive the vaccine which could give you early protection from the virus. Those who choose to participate in a COVID-19 vaccine trial may receive the vaccine. For most studies that are currently…
NASHVILLE, TN — Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth has released its County Profiles of Child Well-Being in Tennessee. The profiles include substantial county-level data and county ranks in important areas affecting child development: economic well-being, education, health and family, and community. The profiles also list county measures on 38 indicators. The information reported in the profiles is based on data gathered prior to the pandemic. Although much has changed throughout 2020, the profiles provide an important benchmark for pandemic recovery for the state. The data provide a snapshot from 2018, or 2018-19 for school and fiscal year data. Some…
By Jon W. Sparks Editor’s Note: Dr. Miriam DeCosta-Willis, a trailblazing activist, distinguished academic, and prolific author, died Thursday, January 7, at her home at age 86. Last month, the University of Memphis honored her with a historical marker celebrating the fact that she was the first Black professor at the school. It was an especially rich recognition considering that in 1957 when she applied to attend then-Memphis State University, she was denied admission because of her race. This story originally appeared in our October 2019 issue, when we featured her, very appropriately, as a “Local Treasure.” She is the…
Nashville, Tenn. – January 14, 2021 – Kathie Heimerdinger was honored as the first recipient of Action 247‘s Action 100, a program to honor Tennesseans taking ACTION in their communities. She is the wife of the late Titans offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger. Coach Heimerdinger was with the Titans from 2000-2004 and again from 2008-2010. He passed away in 2011 from a rare form of cancer. During his time with the Titans, Heimerdinger coached players such as Steve McNair, Eddie George, Derrick Mason, and Hall of Fame lineman Bruce Matthews. He also helped Coach Jeff Fisher lead the Titans to the…
By Ray Sanchez, CNN Bryan Monroe, a journalism professor and former CNNPolitics.com editor who once headed the National Association of Black Journalists and helped guide the Biloxi Sun Herald to a Pulitzer Prize for coverage of Hurricane Katrina, has died. He was 55. Monroe died Wednesday morning of a heart attack at his home in Bethesda, Maryland, where he lived with family, according to Suzanne Malveaux, a longtime friend, and CNN national correspondent. “He liked to connect people who were in different worlds — whether it was the media world, Hollywood, journalism, academia,” Malveaux told CNN. “He loved to cook.…