News
- Created on 23 May 2013
CDC Reports Steep Decline in Black and Hispanic Teen Births
Teen pregnancy has been declining steadily over the past two decades, but a new report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the decline in teen births has accelerated in recent years and dropped markedly among Black and Hispanic teens.
The report found that birth rates for teenagers aged 15-19 fell 25 percent around the country during the five year period covered by the CDC study (2007-2011).
Birth rates among Black teenagers dropped by an average of 24 percent and the birth rate for Hispanic teens, which had been higher than other racial and ethnic group, saw a 34 percent decline during the five-year period.
"To what can we attribute this dramatic drop in teen births? There are a number of key factors, including stronger teen pregnancy prevention education, the choice by many teens to delay sex, and higher rates of contraceptive use by teens who are sexually active," wrote Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in an editorial for Huffington Post today.
In 22 states, teen Hispanic birth rates plunged at least 40 percent, which was described as "just amazing," by the report's lead author, Brady Hamilton of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Last year, the CDC announced the overall improvement in teen births: a record low of 31 births per 1,000 teens ages 15 to 19. That compares with 42 births per 1,000 five years earlier.
The South continued to have the highest teen birth rates overall, led by Arkansas and Mississippi, each with rates of about 50 teen births per 1,000 teenagers. In Arkansas, the majority of teen births are to white moms. In Mississippi, the majority are black.
White teens continue to have the lowest birth rate nationally, at about 22 births per 1,000. And while Black teens saw a larger decrease their rate was still more than twice the white rate, at 47 per 1,000. Overall, the Hispanic rate plummeted from 75 to 49 per 1,000.
- Created on 23 May 2013
MLK Jr. Renaissance Festival/Atlanta Super Fest '13 Features Free Family-Friendly Entertainment This Weekend
Atlanta's Martin Luther King Dr. will play host to a two-day free festival featuring music, family oriented games and entertainment as the MLK Renaissance Fest / Atlanta Super Fest '13 kicks off May 25 and 26. Events will be taking place from noon – 9 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
Event headliners include Tex James, Myko Montana, Ying Yang Twins, La Da Booman, Lil Chuckee, Pastor Troy, Big Bank Black, Jose Quapo, Dj UNK, Charlie Boy Gang, Young Tone and Yung Ralph. DJ Holiday of Streetz 94.5 FM will broadcast live both days.
The concerts are free and open to the public.
"The MLK Renaissance Fest / Atlanta Super Fest '13 promises to be a spectacular weekend celebration in Atlanta's Historic Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive District," said event spokesman Rob Woods.
The district is located from Joseph E. Lowery Blvd to Paschal Dr. In addition to the musical performances, the event will address issues affecting Atlanta's inner-city communities including financial literacy, health awareness, alternatives to violence and promotion of physical activity.
"The MLK Renaissance Festival is committed to uniting, empowering, and educating the community by bridging the generation gap by bringing together all age groups, cultures, and genders," said Woods. "The common bond of games, music, and entertainment cross all color and age lines, and opens up doorways of communication."
The festival will also feature the MLK Resurgence Commission at Historical West End Village, a collaboration of business owners and community advocates working to improve the neighborhood and stimulate economic development and job creation by leveraging the legacy of the community's history and contributions to the city.
Wesley Kelly, CEO of the MLK Resurgence Commission H.W.V. and Victory Over Violence founder Fred "V-Man" Watson have received a state proclamation from Gov. Nathan Deal.
Atlanta Fest '13 Sponsors include Streetz 94.5 FM, Metro PCS, and G.M.E. Sports Lounge.
- Created on 23 May 2013
Michael Adebolajo Named as Suspect in London Terrorist Attack
The official, who spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about the investigation, said he could not provide other details because the suspects may face trial, the Associated Press reported.
Investigations by Britain’s domestic security service, MI5, can include undercover surveillance, phone tapping and communications intercepts.
Scotland Yard meanwhile confirmed that the victim was a soldier, but did not release his name. The government also lifted its temporary order for members of the military not to wear their uniform in public.
The assailants, who struck the soldier, apparently at random, with their car on Wednesday then attacked him with knives and meat cleavers, are under arrest. Both were hospitalized after being shot by police.
During the night, police raided two homes, one in Greenwich and one in Lincolnshire, in connection with their investigation into the brutal attack.
The Associated Press, quoting an unidentified British official, said both men had been part of an earlier security services probe.
SEE ALSO: The Sad Truth: Why Kiera Wilmot’s Case Isn’t Over
The BBC, quoting unidentified sources, reported that one of the suspects is 28-year-old Michael Adebolajo (pictured) who comes from a devout Christian family but converted to Islam after leaving college in 2001. The BBC said he was described as “bright and witty” when he was at college.
One of the men sought to justify his actions in chilling remarks to a bystander who recorded the attack near the Royal Artillery Barracks in South London on video.
“We swear by Almighty Allah we will never stop fighting you,” he said, clutching knives in his bloodied hands. “The only reasons we have done this is because Muslims are dying every day. This British soldier is an eye for an eye a tooth for tooth. We apologize that women had to see this today but in our lands our women have to see the same. You people will never be safe. Remove your government. They don’t care about you.”
SEE ALSO: Funeral Program For Malcolm Shabazz Released
He gave no indication what that land was as he urged people to tell the government to “bring our troops back.” British troops are deployed in Afghanistan and recently supported the French-led intervention in Mali.
Muslim religious groups and charities were quick to condemn the attack and urged police to calm tensions. The Muslim Council of Britain called it a “barbaric act that has no basis in Islam,” adding that “no cause justifies this murder.”
Prime Minister David Cameron, who chaired a meeting Thursday of the government’s emergency response committee Cobra, said the images of the attack were “deeply shocking” but would not deter the British people from standing up to terrorism.
“One of the best ways of defeating terrorism is to go about our normal lives,” he said. “That is what we shall do today.”
The prime minister said confronting extremism is a “job for us all” and praised a 48-year-old Cub Scout leader, Ingrid Loyau-Kennett, who got off a bus to confront one of the suspects and tried to calm him.
In an interview with the the Daily Telegraph, Loyau-Kennett was asked if she was scared, and replied: “No — better me than a child.”
“I thought I had better start talking to him before he starts attacking somebody else. I thought these people usually have a message so I said ‘what do you want?’ said Loyau-Kennett, who lives in Cornwall in southwest England.
It did not seem like he was about to attack her and “the policeman was the next target,” she said.
Loyau-Kennett said she was not scared and that the armed men did not seem to be drunk or on drugs. She said she was trying to keep them occupied so they didn’t get more agitated.
She reboarded her bus shortly before police arrived, watching as police shot the two suspects, the BBC reported.
Read more http://newsone.com/2477046/michael-adebolajo-london-terror-attack/
- Created on 23 May 2013
Herman and Gloria Cain Help Magnolia Links Offer Legendary Style at Fundraiser
"Legendary Style" snagged the spotlight at recent popular fundraisers sponsored by the Magnolia Chapter of the Links, Incorporated.
More than 350 guests enjoyed the Legendary Style Gala under the direction of award-winning caterer Tony Conway, who spent time at the event personally seeing that each guest enjoyed the evening at his venue, The Estate at Piedmont. The evening included both live and silent auctions, food, music and dancing.
The next day, more than 100 golfers participated in the "Take a Swing Celebrity Golf Classic" at BridgeMill Athletic Club in Canton. In addition to sport golf, the participants enjoyed donated gifts and prizes.
Both fundraisers will help support Magnolia Links programs geared toward improving the lives of underserved girls and women in the areas of health, education and advocacy.
Corporate sponsors included Nike, The Coca-Cola Company, Georgia Power Company, Season Magazine, Georgia-Pacific LLC, Granny Nannies, 11Alive, Kroger, Atlanta Life Financial Group, E. Box Smith, Inc., Publix, RBM Atlanta/North Mercedes-Benz, The New Voice, Inc. and Act III Communications, Inc.
For information and additional photos, visit www.magnolialinksinc.org
(Photo: Magnolia Links Gloria and Herman Cain)
- Created on 23 May 2013
Cleveland Eateries Promise Charles Ramsey Free Burgers For Life
The man who famously put down his Big Mac to help rescue three women held captive for a decade in an Ohio house will never have to pay for another burger in his hometown.
Charles Ramsey has been promised free burgers for life at more than a dozen Cleveland-area restaurants.
The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer reports that the restaurant where
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