Florida Courier

Home » 2012 » July

Robinson out as Education Comissioner

By Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida – Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson resigned late Tuesday amid a months-long controversy over the state’s testing regimen and errors on school grades that forced the department to change the marks for dozens of schools. In letters to Gov. Rick Scott and State Board of Education Chairwoman Kathleen [...]

July 31, 2012No CommentRead More

Black Pastors to launch nationwide campaign opposing president’s support of gay marriage

Memphis, TN – A group of leading black clergy held a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. today to launch a nationwide campaign to inform citizens that by embracing same-sex marriage, President Obama threatens the stability of the family, especially the black family. Led by the Rev William Owens, the Coalition of [...]

July 31, 2012No CommentRead More

Black blogger/author launches new radio program to promote independent authors

Washington, DC (BlackNews.com) — Norwood Holland, blogger and author of the Drew Smith series, has partnered with WLVS Online Radio to produce and host Book World – a new weekly program designed to promote authors and their books. The show as part of the stations developing Lifestyles programming will feature a recap of weekly publishing [...]

July 30, 2012No CommentRead More

Citing anti-gay policy, Eagle Scouts return medals

By Dawn Rhodes, Chicago Tribune (MCT): CHICAGO — A suburban Chicago man is among the Eagle Scouts returning his medal to the Boy Scouts of America in protest of the organization’s recent decision to continue its ban of homosexual scouts and leaders. Rob Breymaier, executive director of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center, said he has long opposed [...]

July 29, 20121 CommentRead More

Kennedy Space Center tours go behind the ‘gee whiz’

By Marjie Lambert, McClatchy Newspapers (MCT): TITUSVILLE, Fla. — The Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center is huge and homely and almost 50 years old. It’s tall enough to house a 363-foot Saturn V rocket, wide and deep enough to dwarf a space shuttle, cavernous enough for its powerful cranes to maneuver the orbiter and its [...]

July 29, 2012No CommentRead More

Michael Jackson family squabble highlights social media virtues and drawbacks

By Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times (MCT): LOS ANGELES — From behind the highly secretive Jackson dynasty’s once-impenetrable wall, Prince and Paris Jackson appeared to be airing their family’s dirty laundry this week in a typical way for a teen — on their Twitter feeds. Their tweets about the alleged disappearance of their grandmother, matriarch Katherine Jackson, were [...]

July 29, 2012No CommentRead More

Carroll begs pardon for ‘lesbians don’t look like me’ remark

Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll sent a letter of apology to a gay rights group that had criticized her response to allegations of improper activity. Carroll was accused by a former staff who is facing criminal charges of an improper relationship with another aide, who is also female. Carroll has strongly denied the allegation, and during [...]

July 29, 2012No CommentRead More

Researchers use ‘toy’ robot to gain insight into autistic children

By Elizabeth Campbell, McClatchy Newspapers (MCT) :FORT WORTH, Texas — Anthony Arceri stood in front of Zeno, a friendly, child-size robot that was ready to play. “What is your favorite food?” Zeno asked Anthony, a 7-year-old decked out in a black outfit covered with sensors. “Chocolate milk and french fries,” Anthony responded. “I love chocolate milk,” Zeno [...]

July 29, 2012No CommentRead More

Michelle Obama greets US athletes in London

By David Stringer, Associated Press: Michelle Obama played a little tennis with kids, handed out some hugs and posed for photos with strapping athletes Friday as she formally began her stint leading the U.S. Olympics delegation.The U.S. first lady told a crowd of young people that the Summer Games are about more than just gold [...]

July 27, 2012No CommentRead More

Weekly round-up: Election time a’comin, but when?

By Michael Peltier: The News Service of Florida – Any Floridian with a mailbox, a telephone or a TV probably realized this week that an election is approaching. Just when people will be able to vote might actually be up in the air. As voters waded through nasty campaign mailers sent out by shadowy groups [...]

July 27, 2012No CommentRead More