Radio Industry Strikes New Music Licensing Deal With BMI

Story by Inside Radio

Broadcasters will apparently pay more in songwriter royalties under a new agreement struck between the Radio Music License Committee and Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI). Specific terms of the settlement haven’t been released, but in a joint statement the two organizations say the multiyear deal “reflects the strength” of BMI’s share of radio airplay. BMI claims its repertoire makes up a larger percentage of what’s played on the radio compared to rivals ASCAP, Global Music Rights or SESAC.

“We are happy that our impasse with BMI has reached an amicable conclusion,” said Salem Media Group CEO Ed Atsinger, who also chairs the RMLC. “The radio industry believes strongly that songwriters should be compensated fairly, and with BMI’s support, we hope that this deal will assist others in the music licensing community in determining fair rates for everyone on both sides,” Atsinger said in a statement.

The new deal retroactively applies to Jan. 1, 2017 and runs through Dec. 31, 2021. In addition to the new agreed-upon rate, the RMLC has agreed to a one-time payment to BMI for litigation fees.

“We’re pleased to reach an agreement with the RMLC that reflects a much more appropriate value for our affiliates’ music,” said BMI President Mike O’Neill. “While litigation is sometimes a necessary step, our preference is always to work out an amicable solution with our licensing partners while continually keeping the best interests of our songwriters top of mind.”

Even as the radio industry will apparently need to dig deeper into its pocket to pay royalties to BMI songwriters, there was a win for broadcasters. The settlement further clarifies and preserves the scope of the deal. Not only will it include over-the-air broadcasts, but also station streaming simulcasts, podcasts, and HD Radio side channels. The industry had been looking to keep all those elements together, seeing a bulk rate as more advantageous.

The deal still needs approval of a federal court in New York before it becomes finalized.

Kobe Bryant NBA Career Highlights

Here's what happened in the minutes before Kobe Bryant's helicopter crash

Story by CNN
Written by Konstantin Toropin and Holly Yan

Hours before their fatal helicopter crash, Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were taking communion before an early-morning church service.

Minutes before the crash, their pilot was trying to get special permission to fly though foggy conditions.

Seconds before the crash that killed all nine people on board, the pilot told air traffic control he was trying to avoid a cloud layer. It was the last time anyone on the ground heard from him.

While federal investigators try to determine what caused the crash, excerpts of air traffic control recordings help build a timeline of what happened in the flight's final moments.

9:06 a.m. PT Sunday

The Sikorsky S-76B helicopter takes off from Orange County, California, according to the flight tracking site FlightRadar24.com.

The helicopter was headed from the southern Los Angeles area to the northern Los Angeles suburbs.

Bryant was supposed to coach a youth basketball team, the Lady Mambas, at their 12 p.m. game in Thousand Oaks, California. Gianna, 13, was on that team. Two other girls, Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester, were also on board.

Around 9:21 a.m. PT

The helicopter starts circling over Glendale, California, close to the city of Burbank.

"Helicopter 2EX, hold outside Burbank Class C airspace. I have an aircraft going around," an air traffic controller says.

"2EX, holding," the pilot replies.

Air traffic control audio indicates the pilot, Ara Zobayan, had requested SVFR clearance, or special visual flight rules clearance.
SVFR clearance allows a pilot to fly in weather conditions worse than those allowed for regular visual flight rules. Sunday morning, the Los Angeles Police Department had grounded its helicopters because of low visibility from fog.

Pilots sometimes request SVFR clearance mid-flight if weather conditions suddenly change. Those granted permission typically keep closer contact with air traffic control.

Around 9:24 a.m. PT

An air traffic controller says "it's gonna be a little bit" before the pilot can continue.

"OK, we'll continue holding," Zobayan replies.

A National Transportation Safety Board member later said there was a delay because of traffic.

Around 9:33 a.m. PT

The helicopter heads north. Air traffic control tells the pilot to "follow the 5 Freeway" and maintain SVFR conditions.

The pilot confirms he heard the instructions: "Maintain special VFR at or below 2500, I-5 northbound."

Later, the Burbank air traffic controller tells the pilot to switch to Van Nuys air traffic control.

The pilot contacts the Van Nuys tower: "Van Nuys, Helicopter 2EX with you for the special VFR transition. We are currently at 1400."

The controller tells the pilot: "Wind calm, visibility 2 1/2 , ceiling 1100 overcast, Van Nuys altimeters 30.16. Cleared into Van Nuys Class D northeast of Van Nuys."

At one point, the pilot requested flight following, which is radar assistance for a flight that helps the pilot avoid traffic, NTSB member Jennifer Homendy said.

But air traffic control said the helicopter was too low to provide flight following assistance, Homendy said.

The pilot told air traffic control he was going to climb higher to avoid a cloud layer. It was his last transmission.

Around 9:42 a.m. PT

An air traffic controller tries to contact the pilot, but gets no response.

"72EX, you're following a 1200 code. So you're requesting flight following?" the controller asks.

"Say intentions," the controller adds. "You're still too low level for flight following at this time."

9:45 a.m. PT

The helicopter falls off the radar, the NTSB said.

9:47 a.m. PT

The first 911 call comes in about the crash, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said.

12 p.m. PT

The Lady Mambas' basketball game is scheduled to begin at Bryant's Mamba Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks.

NAACP STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF KOBE BRYANT

The NAACP released the following statement on the passing of Kobe Bryant:

“Today we mourn the loss of NBA Legend Kobe Bryant. Your presence on and off the court will truly be missed. Our prayers go out to the Bryant family and to all affected by this tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones.”

LeBron James Breaks His Silence On The Passing of Kobe Bryant With Touching Instagram Post

LeBron vows to put Laker Nation on his back and keep it going.

Story by the Team980am/95.9fm WTEM Washington DC
Written by Bernard Beanz Smalls

Since the tragic helicopter crash in Calfornia that took 9 lives, including Kobe Bryant, 41, and his daughter Gianna Bryant, 13, NBA players have chimed in on their hero’s passing. One player we didn’t hear from immediately was LeBron James, that was until Monday (Jan.28) evening.

James finally broke his silence via an Instagram post on the death of Kobe, and it also turned out that he was one of the last people to speak with Bryant before he died. The two spoke following James passing Kobe on the NBA all-time scoring list, and with what would be his last post on his IG account, Bryant congratulated James on the milestone.

LeBron couldn’t have imagined that would have been the last time he would see his big brother and mentor along with his daughter alive. Following the fatal crash, there was footage of Bron landing back in Los Angeles from the east coast road trip clearly distraught after learning the news of Bryant’s death while in the air. With all eyes on LeBron’s socials, it was radio silence, but it was deafening cause we all knew he was mourning. That changed last night with a very touching post with King James revealing he struggled while attempting to find the words to honor Kobe and Gigi.

Under a gallery of photos with a picture of James dapping up Kobe, he began in the caption, “I’m Not Ready, but here I go. Man I sitting here trying to write something for this post but every time I try I begin crying again just thinking about you, niece Gigi and the friendship/bond/brotherhood we had! I literally just heard your voice Sunday morning before I left Philly to head back to LA.”

He further added, “Didn’t think for one bit in a million years that would be the last conversation we’d have. WTF!! I’m heartbroken and devastated my brother!! 😢😢😢😢💔.”
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Shaq is not doing well: https://www.tmz.com/2020/01/28/shaquille-oneal-kobe-bryant-not-doing-well-death-lakers/?fbclid=IwAR3SZW_cYh938LCUAskS_TsLuSWE9I2tKWFXaGFuPud_Xt7FmPcRqjKrTgI

Kobe Bryant; “Our Responsibility is more than putting a ball in a basket.” Commentary by Dr. Earl Ofari Hutchinson

The late Kobe Bryant and his wife, with the parents of Trayvon Martin

Commentary by Dr. Earl Ofari Hutchinson

My two greatest enduring and life affirming memories of Kobe Bryant have absolutely nothing to do with basketball. There’ll be plenty of hashing and rehashing of his legendary NBA exploits in the mountain of tributes and remembrances of him. The first is the mild but very pleasant surprise I had watching Bryant at a peace walk in July 2014. He walked and stood shoulder to shoulder with Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin’s mother. The occasion for the peace walk was the first anniversary of the grotesque acquittal of George Zimmerman of the murder of Martin.

Bryant minced no words. He called out the criminal justice system for the abomination in letting Zimmerman skip away scot free. The Zimmerman atrocity, though, to Bryant was a deeper sign of the terrible malaise in the criminal justice system that routinely demonizes and diminishes Black lives. I, and other civil rights leaders and activists, can say that until the sky falls in. But a blast at the justice system coming from a superstar athlete in the heart of the African American community on his home turf Los Angeles carries real weight.

There’s another ever-enduring memory I have of him. That’s when he when he ripped off his Laker sweat jacket during pregame warmups at a game against the Sacramento Kings in December 2014. There it was, emblazoned on his black tee shirt, the words “I can’t breathe.” The “I” was Eric Garner, choked to death by an NYPD undercover cop in July 2014. Millions saw and heard Garner scream those words as he writhed in the death grip of the officer while penned down on the ground.

What was even more memorable about Bryant’s bold statement about racial injustice was that he felt strongly enough about the issue to get his other Laker teammates to don similar black tee shirts with Garner’s death throe plea to the world etched on them.

These enduring memories of Kobe had even greater meaning for me because they showed a young man who had undergone an almost total epiphany in terms of his growth and awareness of the at times literal life and death struggle for racial justice. It’s important to say that because it wasn’t long before Bryant spoke out forcefully backing the fight for racial justice that he was lambasted from pillar to post by many Blacks, and that included a sharp reprimand from football great Jim Brown about his supposed lack of blackness.

Bryant posted a tweet in March 2014 that seemed to soft peddle the Zimmerman acquittal. Bryant took much heat for this, but he did not dig his heels in and defiantly scream about his freedom to express his opinion. Keep in mind that Bryant got lots of raves from others for allegedly going against the alleged politically correct crowd by taking a contrarian position. But clearly, he thought hard about the criticism, and the heinous implications of the judicial travesty. He quickly reversed gear and called the verdict exactly what it was, “Travon Martin was wronged THATS my opinion and that’s what I believe the FACTS showed. The system did not work.”

When you really think about it, though, it really wasn’t terribly hard for Bryant to switch roles from basketball superstar Bryant to racial justice activist Bryant.

Despite Bryant’s careful and cautious downplay of race during much of his playing career, for another swath of the public he was still a Black sports icon. The price a Black sports icon pays for resting on that high perch can be steep. One misstep and he or she can become the instant poster child for all that’s allegedly wrong with celebrity, sport and society. Bryant got an early taste of what could happen when there’s even the tiniest slip. That was the charge against him of sexual assault in a small Colorado town in 2003. The case was ultimately dropped. But It was a harsh wake-up call.

There are two reasons for the walk on pins and needles existence of Black sports superstars. When Bryant tore up the NBA, he became the gatekeeper for the storehouse of fantasies and delusions of a sports crazed public as well as advertisers, sportswriters, and TV executives in desperate need of vicarious escape, titillation, excitement, and profits. Bryant was the ultimate in the sports hero who fulfilled that empty need.

He was expected to move in the rarified air above the fray of human problems while raising society’s expectation of what’s good and wholesome. He was handsomely rewarded for fulfilling that fantasy, if they stick to matters on the court or gridiron. When they stray from that, Think Kaepernick, whom, by the way Bryant strongly backed and even embraced at a tennis match

The other reason for caution by Bryant and others is his fame and fortune. Black super stars cause much media and public hurt when they supposedly betray the collective self-delusion of sport as pure and pristine. That stirs even greater jealousy and resentment. That’s evident in the constant fan and sportswriter carping about how spoiled, pampered and over paid men such as Bryant and black athletes supposedly are. The first hint of any bad behavior by them ignites a torrent of self-righteous columns and commentary on the supposed arrogant, above the law black athlete.

Bryant well understood the harsh and glaring public and media fishbowl that he was cast in. But in the end, he did the right thing and cast his stardom, celebrity status, and revered sports name with the Trayvon Martins of the world and the fight for racial justice. This is the Kobe Bryant I choose to remember.
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Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. He is the author of Why Black Lives Do Matter (Middle Passage Press). He is a weekly co-host of the Al Sharpton Show on Radio One. He is the host of the weekly Hutchinson Report on KPFK 90.7 FM Los Angeles and the Pacifica Network.

NBA Legends the late Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal discuss their dynasty and life together

Shaq interviews the late Kobe Bryant in 2018

NBA''s Los Angeles Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant, Gianni Bryant (Kobe'''s 13 year old daughter), and others die in a Helicopter crash in California. There were no survivors.

Stunning, shocking! TMZ first reports below that Kobe Bryant; one of Kobe's daughters 13-year old Gianna Bryant; along with 7 other coaches, parents, and kids were on-board the helicopter that crashed this morning. There were no survivors.
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Legendary Comedian Dave Chappelle honored Ellington students after his Kennedy Center honors

Story by Duke Ellington School of the Arts

On the first Tuesday of 2020, PBS aired the star-studded festivities as Dave Chappelle received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center.

The event actually took place in late October. One day after being feted by the likes of Tiffany Haddish, John Legend, Sarah Silverman, and Jon Stewart, Chappelle returned to his beloved alma mater, Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

He happened to bring some friends from the Kennedy Center celebration, including Bradley Cooper, Erykah Badu, Common, and Chris Tucker.

“When I found out I won the award and they were telling me some of the people who were coming to honor me, I immediately thought it’d be cool if we could go to Ellington and do master classes,” Chappelle said after addressing an audience that included Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser in the school theater.

“When I was here, Spike Lee came once,” Chappelle said. “Quincy Jones came. They talked to us. I vividly remember how profoundly that affected me and made everything seem so possible.”

Inspiration can flow both ways

Angela Jones, Ellington’s Director of Arts, said details were evolving less than 24 hours before Chappelle arrived. There was uncertainty about who would come with him – and who couldn’t make it – until the last minute.

But the staff was successful in surprising the students. “Some of them knew about the Dave Chappelle part,” Jones said, “but they were truly surprised about some of his friends and guests that were in the building.

”Students were treated to concurrent master classes before assembling in the theater, where Badu and Common had tutored one group. Cooper and Tucker coached another cluster in the Performance Hall. Musicians Frederic Yonnet and Thundercat advised others in an orchestra room.

Museum Studies students soaked up advice from Timothy Anne Burnside, a curator at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. By day’s end, they had created an “Emmy Case” exhibit that Chappelle visited with his family in the Ellington Gallery“

I’ve known Dave for a while and I wanted to come see what school he went to,” said Tucker, who was impressed by students’ questions. “Yesterday was great at the award show and everything was awesome. But this was the best part of the weekend.

“You really learn something about yourself when kids ask these great and important questions,” he said. “I love these types of environments.”

Chappelle said he wasn’t surprised that students inspired his friends as much as vice versa. He also felt revived while walking around the building and interacting with aspiring young artists.

“For us, personally, it does kind of fill your tank and erode some of that cynicism that cakes up on you,” Chappelle said. “It sounds cliché but it’s true. Having gone here and seeing what’s been done – and how my career grew and the school’s doing well – it makes me feel like the world is not a terrible place. It gives me a lot of hope.

“This is one of my favorite places in the world.

”And he’s one of DC’s favorite sons.

Ellington roots run deep

Bowser declared Oct. 27 as “Dave Chappelle Day” and presented him with a key to the city. “I don’t give out many of those,” she told the audience after master classes ended. The theater erupted when Chappelle took the stage and said Ellington students should honor him each year on Oct. 27 … by skipping school.

“I’m hugely grateful for Dave Chappelle,” Bowser said later from backstage. “He has never forgotten Duke Ellington School of the Arts and what it has meant to his career. Anytime he’s in DC he tries to work in an appearance at Ellington and it means so much to these kids who are just like him.

”Tia Powell Harris, the school’s CEO, credited Chappelle and his team for the “mega master class” concept. It enabled students to partake in the huge Twain Award weekend without attending the ceremony or any associated events.

“The accomplishments of Mr. Chappelle are grand,” Harris said during her remarks. “But we get the shine.

”During his closing remarks at Ellington, Chappelle urged students to “protect your heart and protect your art,” and avoid becoming cynics. He reflected how he and some of his fellow classmates became best friends to this day.

“Stay true to yourselves and be good to each other,” he said. “Just know that I’m honored to be able to say I went to this school. And one day, you will be, too.

“I’m very proud of all of you.”

Wendy Williams To Howard Stern: ‘Don’t Hate On Me.’

Story by Inside Radio

While on his rant complaining that radio is not included in the larger televised awards shows, such as the Golden Globes and the Oscars, Howard Stern also ridiculed the National Radio Hall of Fame, saying, “So, every once in a while, why don’t they have a radio category as opposed to a radio hall of fame where we are ostracized into some lame event?”

As the tangent ventured further, the King of All Media said Hall founder Bruce DuMont only inducted Stern because of the publicity the longtime morning host attracts, adding “I’m fine with that, but… it’s just something that, for years — no offense to Wendy Williams — but they put Wendy Williams in before me.”

That is the headline that the Daily Mail ran with, Williams said while addressing the comments on her daytime TV talk show. “I’m tired of fighting with you, man,” Williams said during the Tuesday, Jan. 14 segment. “Why do you always have to fight with me? Because you think I’m the low-lying fruit? Why, because Imus is dead? Why, because you’re scared to go after Tom Joyner?” which garnered gasps from her in-studio audience.

Williams continued, addressing Howard directly, “We both know… and shout out to all my radio people … Only real radio-heads understand how important radio is in life… I was in love with radio before I got this chair. Now, I like this more because it pays better… Howard, you know, I know, and anybody in radio knows, people in entertainment they look over us… they think of radio like a throw-away and radio really is quite frankly the most brilliant invention ever, even before TV. Because radio makes you use your imagination. In TV everything is laid out in front of you.”

Williams, who was inducted in the NRHOF in 2011 while Stern went in a year later, then addressed the topic that garnered the headline. “I agree,” Williams continued. “He was supposed to be there before me… Personally and professionally, I admire you Howard Stern… but don’t hate on me because I got in before you.”

Before making the successful transition to TV, Williams was a popular radio host on New York radio stations “Hot 97” WQHT, WRKS and WBLS.

Mid-Day Veteran Triscina Grey and Quiet Storm host Jeff Brown exits WHUR-DC

Story by Urban Buzz

WHUR-DC ends its 29 year relationship with mid-day host Triscina Grey. Grey had been with WHUR since 1991 after a brief run at 107.5 WBLS New York. Triscina started her career at KGFJ in Los Angeles.

Quiet Storm host Jeff Brown also exits the station.

Urban One Honors is Coming this Monday on the King Day Holiday to TV One

On this upcoming MLK Day on Monday, January 20, watch the TV One Special Tribute to Cathy Hughes at 7/6c, and Urban One Honors Radio One at 8/7c on TV One.

Census Bureau Launches 2020 Campaign With More Than 1,000 Ads

Story by Inside Radio

Advertising for the 2020 Census is coming to a medium near you — and soon.

The U.S. Census Bureau has launched its once-per-decade headcount of everyone in America, and a key part of the related communications initiative is an unprecedented $500 million public education and outreach campaign that includes more than 1,000 advertisements, the agency says in a news release.

The overall process supported by the ads is crucial: The findings ultimately help determine how billions of dollars are spent on public services like hospitals, schools, roads and bridges, emergency response services and more.

An e-mailed request from Inside Radio for a detailed breakdown of produced radio spots and related spending was not immediately returned. But a general idea might be gleaned from 2010 statistics, which saw the Census Bureau spend $24.8 million on radio spots. That amount represented nearly 15% of a total of $167 million in paid spending.

Other 2010 spending by media type included television ($81.5 million), newspapers ($26 million), digital ($13.8 million) and out-of-home ($11.1 million).

In 2010 the Census Bureau produced a total of 452 advertisements in 28 languages, with 97 of them (21.5%) for radio. Print led the way with 159 ads (35.2%), followed by television with 62 (13.7%).

A decade earlier, in the 2000 Census, the agency says it created more than 250 TV, radio, print, outdoor and internet advertisements in 17 languages, reaching 99% of all U.S. residents. That campaign included more than 71,000 radio spots.

This time around, the Census Bureau — hoping to reach those who are historically undercounted — began its paid media campaign in December with ads targeting remote villages in Alaska. The agency expects to ultimately reach 99% of all U.S. households.

Its news release says its education effort features ads in English and 12 other languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese.

iHeart Announces New Organizational Structure, Increased Reliance On Technology.

Story by Inside Radio

iHeartMedia announced today it is modernizing the company as it enters the new decade, leveraging its half a billion dollars of investments in technology, including investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI), to support a new organizational structure for its Markets Group, led by Markets Group President Greg Ashlock and Hartley Adkins, newly appointed Chief Operating Officer for the Markets Group.

The company also said it is using technology and AI to lessen repetitive and rote work for its employees, freeing them for more value-added contributions from programming to sales.

Over the last five years, iHeart pointed out that it has continued to focus on innovation with a number of technological advancements and platform acquisitions including Jelli, RadioJar and Stuff Media. iHeart says it is determined to continue to lead in innovation over the rest of the traditional media business.

In the company’s announcement, iHeart CEO Bob Pittman said, “iHeart is the rare example of a major traditional media company that has made the successful transformation into a 21st century media company.” He added, “We are now using our considerable investments in technology to modernize our operations and infrastructure, further setting us apart from traditional media companies; improving our services to our consumers and advertising partners; and enhancing the work environment for our employees.”

According to the announcement, the Markets Group will now be made up of three divisions – Region, Metro and Community – based around common characteristics and needs, like the size of a market and its relationship to advertising partners. The divisions include:

The Region Division, led by Division Presidents Kevin LeGrett and Scott Hopeck, includes the company’s largest markets, like New York and Los Angeles.

The Metro Division, led by Division Presidents Tom McConnell, Linda Byrd and Tony Coles, includes markets that are still large but not the size of the Region markets.

The Community Division, led by Division Presidents Shosh Abromovich, Nick Gnau and Dan Lankford, includes markets that are smaller and tend to focus on the needs of one community and one common geographic area for advertisers.

iHeart also said today that it is moving to Centers of Excellence – where one particular discipline is consolidated in one location to provide concentrated resources for the entire company. iHeart used its recently announced Nashville Center of Excellence, its second digital headquarters, as an example; Nashville houses digital services for iHeart’s markets as well as innovation for its digital products. Other Centers of Excellence around the country will center around areas including programming, national advertising, podcasting, the entertainment industry, Latino content and others.

iHeart is the number one audio company in America by reach, according to Nielsen and has built out other successful platforms over recent years, including podcasting and digital radio. In the ad community it has gotten significant attention for its SmartAudio suite of targeting and analytics products, which it says will be enhanced by these moves. The company employs 12,500 people in over 150 markets across the country.

Shahrazad Ali On How Feminism Destroyed The US Black Family

Commentary by Shahrazad Ali On How Feminism Destroyed The US Black Family


"Vibrations: Interview with Sharhzad Ali" | WFSU-TV (1991). Vibrations host Raven Geary interviews writer Sharhzad Ali.

England's Queen regret as Prince Harry and Princess Meghan told they can live independently

Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives.

Story by Yahoo News
Written by Victoria Bell

Prince Harry and Princess Meghan will be allowed to live independently and split their lives between Canada and the UK after showdown talks with senior members of England's Royal Family.

The Queen of England said she “had very constructive discussions” on the future of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and it had been agreed there will be a “period of transition” in which the Sussexes will live in both countries.

In a unusually personal statement from the Queen, in which she referred to Harry as her “grandson”, she made it clear that the couple’s decision was against her wishes and that “we would have preferred them to remain full-time working members of the Royal Family”.

The full statement says:

“Today my family had very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family.

“My family and I are entirely supportive of Harry and Meghan’s desire to create a new life as a young family. Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.

“Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives.

“It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK.

“These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.”

‘Workable solution’

The statement comes days after Harry and Meghan were said to have left the Queen feeling “hurt” after they reportedly did not consult her before making their bombshell announcement last Wednesday.

They made the announcement via the SussexRoyal Instagram account on Wednesday, saying they want to become financially independent.

Harry and Meghan’s statement – and a new official Sussexroyal.com website – have thrown up important questions about media access to their royal events and how they will pay for their future lifestyles.

In response, the Queen ordered the royal houses of Charles, William and Harry to come up with a “workable solution” to the issue.

One royal source said “next steps” will be agreed at the meeting, adding that it is the Queen’s wish that the issue is resolved “at pace”.

Some at Buckingham Palace are reported to fear that Harry and Meghan could conduct a potentially damaging television interview if they do not get what they want.

In an article for The Sunday Times, broadcaster Tom Bradby – a friend of both Harry and William – said: “I have some idea of what might be aired in a full, no-holds-barred, sit-down interview and I don’t think it would be pretty.”

Legislative Black Caucus Lays Out Priorities for 2020 Session

Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Darryl Barnes (D-Prince George’s) lays out the top priorities of the caucus at a press conference in Annapolis on Wednesday. Photo by Danielle E. Gaines.

Story by Maryland Matters
Written by Hannah Gaskill (hgaskill@marylandmatters.org)

Economic and criminal justice, education and health care are among the top priorities of the Legislative Black Caucus for the burgeoning 2020 session.

During a Wednesday morning news conference, Del. Darryl Barnes (D-Prince George’s), the LBC chairman, opened with an acknowledgment of the historical significance of the day: the first House session to be led by Speaker Adrienne A. Jones (D-Baltimore County), who took over on May 1.

“For the first time ever in 441 sessions, we have our first African American woman — first African American person — to be the speaker of the House,” said Barnes. “We are excited to support her and stand with her 100 percent.”


House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones (D-Baltimore County) and Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) shake hands at a pre-session summit hosted by The Daily Record on Wednesday. Photo by Danielle E. Gaines

Barnes also addressed challenges that the caucus has had with the establishment of the medical marijuana industry in the state, saying he feels confident the legislature is moving in a direction that will ensure more African Americans are eligible to participate.

Before pivoting to a new speaker, Barnes acknowledged the indictment of former Del. Cheryl D. Glenn (D-Baltimore City), a one-time LBC leader who was charged late last month with bribery and federal wire fraud for pushing medical marijuana legislation for financial gain from a medical marijuana firm. Barnes described Glenn’s legal peril as the “elephant in the room.”

“Del. Glenn was a friend to me, and I make no bones about that,” he said. “I do not condone the things that she is alleged of doing, but I do commend the work that she did. And I think all of us stand with her as being a delegate that was advocating and fighting for African Americans to be a part of an industry that we are left out of.”

Glenn resigned late last month ahead of her indictment. Her seat has yet to be filled.

Of other legislation supported by the Black Caucus, here are some highlights:

• Sen. Antonio L. Hayes (D-Baltimore City) discussed two bills on the table this session that he said will support small minority business owners, including one that would require state agencies to make payments on contracts within 15 days of settlement on an invoice, allowing for small businesses to more consistently maintain their financial requirements.

• Sen. Charles E. Sydnor III (D-Baltimore County) said he is hoping three pieces of legislation emerge this year to boost the state’s four historically black colleges and universities, including measures to address program duplication and to appropriate $577 million for a proposed settlement of a lawsuit brought against the state on behalf of the HBCUs more than a decade ago. https://www.marylandmatters.org/2020/01/09/jones-we-cant-let-hbcu-suit-go-to-supreme-court/

• Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Prince George’s), who chairs the Commission on Health Insurance Protection, cited several pieces of legislation for this session that the caucus will prioritize, including one that will preserve the consumer protections provisions afforded by the American Care Act.

• Del. Charlotte Crutchfield (D-Montgomery) said the Black Caucus plans to promote bills calling for more police accountability, better education for youth in juvenile detention centers and the possibility for more citizens to have their criminal records expunged.

• Del. Gabriel Acevero (D-Montgomery) discussed his intent to reintroduce “Anton’s Law”: a police accountability bill named after 19-year-old Anton Black, who died in 2018 after being in police custody. The legislation would provide new standards for police use of force policy, update the Maryland Public Information Act and reform the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights.

• Del. Jheanelle K. Wilkins (D-Montgomery) said it is of prime concern to the caucus that all citizens be counted in the 2020 Census. She suggested that black communities are historically undercounted, which contributes to underfunding in schools and public works projects.

Barnes concluded the meeting by noting that diversity runs through not just the legislature, but also the Black Caucus.

“From our most senior legislators to our freshman legislators, they all now have an opportunity to participate in echoing the concerns and supporting the issues that plague our community,” he said.

US-Iran tensions: Five things to note from Trump's speech

One day after Iran attacked U.S. bases in Iraq, President Trump addressed the nation, saying there were no casualties and the regime appeared to be “standing down.” He announced that the U.S. would immediately impose new sanctions on Iran until it changes its behavior. The president’s remarks came days after the U.S. killed an Iranian general. He addressed the decision to order the drone strike against the general, saying the United States sent a powerful message to terrorists: “If you value your own life, you will not threaten the lives of our people.”

Story by BBC
Video by C-Span

The exit ramp

"Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world."

The big question after last night's missile attack was whether the president would view the Iranian response as a reason to escalate the situation or, in the now popular phrase, "to look for an exit ramp".

On Tuesday morning, he chose the latter.

He heralded the lack of casualties and "minimal damage" from the Iranian strike. He praised the US military and promised "more punishing economic sanctions" - not, as some feared (and he hinted at earlier this week) a disproportionately overwhelming military response.

That Trump opted not to strike back may give the Iranians an opportunity to claim he was the one who backed down. Make no mistake, however, Trump's was a victory speech - a reassertion of American dominance in the region - and it was just getting started.

We have emerged unscathed

"By removing Soleimani, we have sent a powerful message to terrorists: If you value your own life, you will not threaten the lives of our people."

Much of Trump's morning touted what had already been accomplished, not what was to come. He focused on establishing why Soleimani - the "world's top terrorist", he claimed - was a nefarious character who had long deserved the punishment Americans delivered.

"Soleimani's hands were drenched in both American and Iranian blood," he said, listing his support for militant armies, instigation of regional civil wars and targeting of US troops as evidence. He warned that Soleimani was planning further attacks on Americans - echoing previous, but so far unsubstantiated, US assertions that Soleimani's assassination prompted by an imminent threat to US interests.

By focusing on Soleimani's death - and the message it sent - instead of Monday night's Iranian strikes, the president was in effect saying the outcome of this recent crisis was worth the drama and unrest it may have caused. The US drew its line, took out a malign actor and emerged mostly unscathed.

But some commentators have warned against Trump gloating, because Iran's response could be ongoing.

Yet another jab at Obama

"The missiles fired last night at us and our allies were paid for with the funds made available by the last administration."

If there's been one common, uniting theme to Trump's presidency so far, it's been a concerted effort to undo the legacy of his predecessor, Barack Obama. On healthcare, the environment, the economy, immigration and - in particular - the Iran nuclear deal, Trump has turned campaign criticisms into policy action.

It's not particularly surprising, then, that Trump would take the opportunity of a nationally televised address to swipe again at Obama.

The Iran nuclear deal, negotiated during the Obama administration, released tens of billions of dollars of Iranian assets frozen in US banks after the 1979 Iranian revolution. There's no evidence these funds were used for Iran's missile programme - which was operational long before the multinational Iranian agreement was signed - but Trump's core contention, that the deal gave Iran political and financial breathing room to be more aggressive in the region, doesn't require receipts.

Obama's Iran deal is gone, Trump effectively told the other signatory nations in his speech, and it's time to negotiate a new deal - a Trump deal - that makes the world "a safer and more peaceful place".

I can deliver exit from Middle East

"Today, I am going to ask NATO to become much more involved in the Middle East process."

Trump's message to other nations didn't end with negotiating a new Iran deal, either. He wants Nato, the military alliance he has frequently belittled, to step up, too.

It's been a contradiction of Trump's foreign policy that while he frequently speaks of disentangling the US from foreign commitments, he often takes actions that seem to risk miring the US in a wider Middle East conflict.

Now, after ordering a strike against a senior Iranian military official that could have prompted a direct clash with Iranian forces, the president is again talking of scaling back.

The US's economy is booming and is now energy independent, he said, perhaps suggesting - or warning - that it's time for US allies to shoulder more of the Middle East burden.

Of course, Middle East instability can affect the global energy market, raising prices in the US no matter whether that oil and gas comes from North Dakota shale deposits or a Persian Gulf oil well.

A US exit from the Middle East would be neither clean nor easy.

A grand entrance with a 2020 message

"As long as I am president of the United States, Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon."

The president started his speech with a teaser, as it's called in the news business. Before even saying good morning, he started with a guarantee - a show of strength and a promise of security.

There were a lot of theatrical touches to the president's Tuesday morning appearance. He stood before a phalanx of stern-looking, award draped military leaders, flanked by senior members of his administration.

The imagery of his entry into the room, his figure silhouetted against a blaze of light from an open window, bordered on the messianic. While his delivery was muted and short-of-breath - and the speech itself was a hodgepodge - pictures still carry punch in American politics.

There's no telling whether this recent Iranian crisis will have any long-term political benefit for the president - and even less certainty of whether it will be a positive development for the security of the US and the world as a whole.

But expect the image of Donald Trump as commander in chief, surrounded by the trappings of power and authority, taking credit for the deaths of Soleimani's and Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, to be a common theme in his upcoming re-election campaign.
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Read more:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51029418
https://www.c-span.org/video/?467950-1/president-trump-iran-appears-standing-missile-attack

NFL's New York Giants to hire New England Patriots' Joe Judge as head coach

Story by ESPN
Written by Jordan Raanan

The New York Giants are finalizing a deal for New England Patriots wide receivers coach Joe Judge to become the team's next head coach, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Tuesday.

Judge, 38, was the youngest of the seven known candidates mentioned for the Giants' vacancy and has been mentored by Alabama coach Nick Saban and Patriots coach Bill Belichick. He is considered a no-nonsense guy who isn't afraid to ruffle feathers with players if necessary.

The Giants also have asked for and received permission from the Dallas Cowboys to speak with Jason Garrett regarding a position as offensive coordinator on Judge's staff, sources told ESPN's Ed Werder on Tuesday.

Judge would replace Pat Shurmur, who was fired by the Giants last week after two seasons, as the 19th coach in franchise history.

The deal was in the works as of Monday night, sources told Schefter, which is another reason Matt Rhule took the head-coaching job with the Carolina Panthers.

The Giants, who are an NFL-worst 12-36 since the start of the 2017 season, had interviewed Cowboys passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Kris Richard, former Packers coach Mike McCarthy, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale.

McCarthy accepted the Cowboys' head-coaching job on Monday, sources confirmed to ESPN.

Judge follows the John Harbaugh model to the top of the coaching profession, from special-teams coordinator -- before adding a position coach stint to his resume -- to NFL head coach.

The Cowboys announced Sunday that Garrett would not return as head coach, but he is under contract though Jan. 14, so the Giants need permission to interview him.

Garrett is well thought of by Giants ownership and played for the team from 2000-03.

Speaker of the House Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (Ca.) announces war powers resolution as tensions with Iran escalate

Pelosi said "the Trump administration conducted a provocative and disproportionate military airstrike targeting high-level Iranian military officials."

Story by NBC News
Written by Allan Smith

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., announced the House will vote soon on a war powers resolution to limit President Donald Trump's military actions after he ordered the killing of a top Iranian general last week, escalating tensions with Tehran.

"Last week, the Trump administration conducted a provocative and disproportionate military airstrike targeting high-level Iranian military officials," Pelosi said in a letter to colleagues Sunday. "This action endangered our servicemembers, diplomats and others by risking a serious escalation of tensions with Iran."

"As members of Congress, our first responsibility is to keep the American people safe," she continued. "For this reason, we are concerned that the administration took this action without the consultation of Congress and without respect for Congress’s war powers granted to it by the Constitution."

She said the House resolution is similar to one introduced in the Senate by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va.

"It reasserts Congress’s long-established oversight responsibilities by mandating that if no further Congressional action is taken, the Administration’s military hostilities with regard to Iran cease within 30 days," she said.

Last week, Trump ordered an airstrike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani and other officials near the Baghdad airport. Soleimani's death came days after rioters sought to storm the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad and a U.S. contractor was killed in a rocket attack on an Iraqi military base in Kirkuk.


President Trump delivered a statement on the U.S. killing of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

Iran and its allies vowed to retaliate for the general's death, and Trump has since escalated his language in response.

On Sunday, Iraq's Parliament voted to ask its government to end the presence of U.S. troops in the country, while Iranian state TV reported that Iran will no longer abide by any limits of the 2015 nuclear deal — an agreement Trump withdrew from in 2018.

In the Senate, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, Robert Menendez, D-N.J., wrote to Trump asking him to "immediately declassify in full the January 4, 2020, war powers notification you submitted to Congress following the U.S. military operation targeting" Soleimani.

"It is critical that national security matters of such import be shared with the American people in a timely manner," the senators wrote. "An entirely classified notification is simply not appropriate in a democratic society, and there appears to be no legitimate justification for classifying this notification."

Speaking to reporters in the White House briefing room, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said members of Congress "will be briefed, but they should also calm down" and "celebrate" Soleimani's death.

She said it was "fine" for Trump to order an airstrike killing Soleimani without congressional authority, comparing it to former President Barack Obama ordering the mission to kill al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

“Living Legend” Tom Joyner's Career has Transformed Black Media

Story by National Urban League

Marc H. Morial
President and CEO
National Urban League

“I learned so much about building a community around content from Tom Joyner. That show was so good at finding commonality within a diverse audience -- yes, there is diversity within blackness -- and serving many wants and needs simultaneously. It's hard to be entertaining, informative and educational without ever talking down to your audience. Tom did that day after day for decades. I wish him and everyone who's worked on that show the best. They've done a lot for a lot of people.” – Sports journalist Bomani Jones.

Even as we enter 2020 with optimism and a sense of renewed purpose, there will be a huge void in our cultural life without the daily voice of radio legend Tom Joyner, who retired last month after nearly 50 years on the air, the last 25 as the host of the iconic Tom Joyner Morning Show.

It’s hard for me to imagine the last 16 years of my life as President and CEO of the National Urban League without Joyner’s enthusiastic support and clear-sighted analysis. Reach Media, the company he founded in 2001, has long been one of the National Urban League’s most valued media partners.

Whenever the National Urban League has launched a new initiative or announced a campaign, the Tom Joyner Morning Show was always one of our first stops. There was no better forum for reaching Joyner’s devoted and sizeable audience, or for thought-provoking analysis of the issues of the day.

In 2015, the National Urban League honored Joyner with our “Living Legend” at our Conference in Fort Lauderdale. His live broadcast from the Conference was a highlight of the week.

Our most important partnerships with Joyner have been around our education initiatives. A third-generation alumnus of a HBCU, Joyner has been a passionate advocate, with his Tom Joyner Foundation raising more than $65 million since 1998 to support more than 29,000 students attending HBCUs.

Joyner’s deep respect for education, and for HBCUs in particular, stemmed from the experience of his grandfather, Oscar “Doc” Joyner, a Pullman porter who attended Meharry Medical College and became one of only 3,000 Black doctors in the United States in 1909. Joyner and his father, Hercules Joyner, were featured in the documentary, "Rising from the Rails: The Story of the Pullman Porter.” Hercules Joyner, who served as one of the elite Tuskegee Airmen, earned a degree in chemistry from Florida A&M College and spent most of his career as an accountant. The Tom Joyner Foundation’s “Hercules Scholarship” is named in his honor.

“The Fly Jock” – a nickname he earned during the eight years he commuted between a morning show in Chicago and an afternoon show in Dallas – told CBS News he got his big break after a protest march in his hometown of Tuskegee, Alabama. "

“I’m out there protesting the fact that our radio station in this all black town didn’t play any black music. And this guy who owned a radio station, which was inside a Ford dealership, came out and said I don’t need this, I’m trying to really sell some cars,” Joyner said. “Tell you what, it’s a sun-up sun-down station. Every Saturday, I’ll let one of you play all the Aretha and Temptations that you want.”

In a career spanning nearly five decades, Joyner has never altered his focus on serving Black listeners.

"Don't worry about crossover. Just super serve, super serve, super serve,” he told CBS News. “Anything that affects African Americans, that's what you do," he said. "Just worry about connecting to people and their needs."

We offer Joyner our gratitude for his many years of entertainment and commentary, wish him well in retirement and look forward to lending our support to his efforts to uplift the community through education.