Derek Chauvin Sentenced
Friday, Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years in the murder of George Floyd, CNN reports. When Chauvin was convicted back in April, prosecutors requested a sentence of 30 years while the defense asked for probation or a shorter sentence. Chauvin still faces federal charges for Floyd's murder
DOJ Files Lawsuit Against the State of Georgia for Discriminatory Voter Law
Friday, the DOJ announced that they have filed a lawsuit against the state of Georgia, the Georgia Secretary of State, and the Georgia State Election Board over provisions adopted by the state's newly passed Georgia Senate Bill 202, EBONY has learned. The department believes that the provisions are in violation of section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
“The right to vote is one of the most central rights in our democracy and protecting the right to vote for all Americans is at the core of the Civil Rights Division’s mission,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice will use all the tools it has available to ensure that each eligible citizen can register, cast a ballot, and have that ballot counted free from racial discrimination. Laws adopted with a racially motivated purpose, like Georgia Senate Bill 202, simply have no place in democracy today.”
4 Dead, 159 Unaccounted for in Florida Condo Collapse
The death toll in the Surfside, Florida condo collapse has risen from 1 to 4, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava confirmed Friday. According to NBC Miami, 120 residents have been accounted for while 159 are still missing. Approximately 55 units in the 12-story building collapsed Thursday morning.
Mary J. Blige Uninterested In Verzuz Battle
If you've been patiently waiting for a Mary J. Blige and Toni Braxton Verzuz, you may be waiting forever. In an interview with "The Breakfast Club," the Queen of Hip Hop Soul suggested that she's not interested in partaking in the virtual showdown. “I don’t know what a Verzuz would do for me,” said Blige. “Right now, it’s not something that’s on the top of my list.” While this does not suggest that all hope is lost, the legendary face-off probably won't take place any time soon.
Patti LaBelle and McBride Sisters Partner For Black Girl Magic Wine And Book Club
Patti LaBelle and McBride Sisters have teamed up for the second installment of Simon & Schuster's Black Girl Magic Wine and Book Club, which launches on July 13. For this installment, readers and wine enthusiasts are invited to indulge in Patti's new cookbook, LaBelle Cuisine: Recipes to Sing About, and McBride Sisters Collections' Black Girl Magic Wines. Additionally, every book club order includes an invitation to a members-only virtual event with McBride Sisters and Patti.
