The swine flu has claimed the life of 14 year-old Destinee Alicia Parker on Tuesday night in Baltimore. She was the first youth to die in the state from the flu, and sadly she died a week before the state of Maryland was going to begin vaccinations. The Baltimore Sun provides additional information on this sad story. Prayers go out to the family.
I was introduced to the story via Twitter last night from ESPN reporter Jemele Hill and the Washington Post. Sean Taylor the former NFL star was murdered nearly 2 years ago, leaving an estimated $5.8 million estate to his 3 year old daughter (who is taken care of by her mother and Taylor's fiance at the time of his death), a $650,000 life policy to his sister and over $300,000 to his father as proceeds from a joint bank account. While living, Taylor paid cash for a home that he gave to his mother Donna Junor, but he died without a will and left nothing in death to mom. Fast forward almost 2 years, and Junor is facing foreclosure on the home that she owns free and clear because of back taxes and homeowner fees. 
I'm sure Michael Vick is elated to be out of prison and playing football again. Yesterday was a day that allowed him to relive the good and bad about the last few years of his life, as he was resigned by Nike yesterday per his agent Joel Segal. That announcement was tempered by the fact that he has to repay $416,000 that he illegally withdrew from a pension plan that he had sponsored through a marketing company that he once owned.
Who says that political adversaries can't come together for a common cause. Yesterday Rev. Al Sharpton and Newt Gingrich along with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan visited Philadelphia schools as part of the "Listening and Learning Tour." The goal of the multi city tour is to bring attention to Education Reform in our country, which I think is far more important that Health Care Reform at this point in President Barack Obama's tenure as President. However, in our President's defense he did suggest that the trio get together for the tour. 
The Chicago Sun-Times reports on the disturbing death of a 5 month old baby boy dying allegedly at the hands of his 19 year-old father Robert L. Thomas in Chicago after being suffocated. Thomas is being held on $5 million bond. I wonder what makes a father intentionally kill his son. The craziness in Chicago continues.
Yesterday the death of Derrion Albert in Chicago last Thursday hit the national stage with everyone having an opinion regarding the death of another African American teenager on our city streets. Albert, only 16 years old and an honor student apparently walked into a mob of teens fighting when he was hit in the head twice fell to the ground and hit in the head once again before being dragged into a building. 
Michael Jackson's movie "This Is It" sold out in 2 hours yesterday, selling the available 3,000 tickets for the movie that premieres next month for a 2 week run. The trailer for Jackson's movie which focuses on his rehearsals and concert footage for the concert that never took place due to his death is captivating. It's obvious that his fans can't get enough of all things Michael Jackson. 
Michael Vick was sounding like his old arrogant self leading up to his first NFL game in 2 seasons, making statements that he thought that he would come back as a starting quarterback. I guess he assumed that missing all of that time wouldn't affect his ability to be an effective player. Vick finally made his return back to the NFL yesterday, and hopefully after appearing on the field for 11 plays and totaling 7 rushing yards, he was humbled about how far away he is from being an effective NFL quarterback again.
Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov stands 6 feet 9 inches and is estimated to be worth $9.5 billion. He's also slated to become the majority owner of the New Jersey Nets pending NBA league approval. Of course with that kind of money, Prokhorov will receive approval from the league. The question now is when LeBron James becomes an unrestricted free agent next year, will he be able to turn away the lure of the money and lights of the Nets who also have rapper/mogul Jay-Z, a James' confidante as a minority owner. 
Former boxing champion Evander Holyfield is planning to parcel 40 acres of land on his personal property turning it into a solar energy farm according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Holyfield, who has struggled to find his footing as his boxing career comes to an end states that making money off the venture isn't his primary goal, and that he simply wants to "do something right" and help combat global warning.
A Pennsylvania investigation has ruled that a Montgomery County swim club discriminated against suburban Philadelphia campers in June after not allowing the campers to use the pool area after the first visit. The wording from the investigation is listed below:
President Barack Obama has successful avoided rumors of womanizing, but that doesn't mean that the women aren't coming after him on a constant basis. The New York Post "Page Six" reports that a new book out today titled "Barack and Michelle: Portrait of an American Marriage" reports on the extent that women have gone to get to our President, often slipping numbers in his pockets and openly grabbing his behind. When First Lady Michelle Obama once sensed that things may have been getting too cozy with a female staff worker, she quietly had the woman removed from her position, and has even given the President the silent treatment on occasion. 
Julius Erving better known as "Dr. J" is now 59 years old living the life of a father and grandfather in Atlanta. Erving now owns and runs a golf course in the area, and this weekend will be hosting the NBA Retired Players Association’s Legends World Sports Summit, which will feature a banquet and seminars before concluding with a golf tournament at his Celebrity Golf Club International.
I was very sad to hear the report that Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West, who suffers from a bi-polar disorder, was pulled over for speeding on his motorcycle on Friday in Maryland and was carrying what seemed like an arsenal of loaded firearms. West is facing potential jail time now, and this arrest could jeopardize his career. The Cavaliers may need to shut West down for an extended period of time. While he'll likely be facing suspension by the NBA, time away from the game is probably what he needs as he battles his personal demons.
Reports circulated this weekend that President Barack Obama's people have informed New York's first black governor David Paterson that it would be in his best interest not to run for reelection next year. While Paterson clearly has no chance to win the election next year, it's interesting that the country's first black President would inject his opinion into a state election. Obama correctly knows that Rudy Giuliani is a viable Republican candidate for governor, and pushing Paterson aside now, opens the door for Democratic front runner Andrew Cuomo to seize control and begin fundraising.
There's always signs that things are headed towards crazy in our country. This story makes me wonder what people really are thinking as a teenage couple in the Atlanta area left an infant baby to die in a storm drain. Sinead A. Harrison, 18, and her boyfriend, 19-year-old Landis Bernard Stewart-Moore, face child cruelty charges after leaving their infant son to die in the drain. Harrison went to the hospital after giving birth to the baby and told authorities that the baby was left in a trash bin. Unable to locate the baby they questioned the father who informed them where the baby was located. The Atlanta Journal Constitution provides additional details on teenagers simply not caring about a child for which they were responsible.
The New York Daily News reports that singer Chris Brown began serving his 180 days of community service yesterday in his home state of Virginia. Brown's location was supposed to be a secret, however he kept everyone abreast of his whereabouts via Twitter. While it's debatable whether Brown will be able to reclaim his crown as the heir to the Usher's of the world, I'm sure he'll be glad when he serves his penalty for his altercation with Rihanna, and can get back to making his fans happy with his music and dance moves.
President Barack Obama's election last November as the first African American President became the true litmus test in our country concerning how far we've come in terms of race relations. Opposition to Obama views seems to have become extremely passionate as the health care reform debate has gained momentum on both sides. Opposition to reform in Town Hall Meetings has become increasingly rowdy, and U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst during the President's speech to Congress was especially disturbing.
Kanye West set the whole country into a frenzy when he interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech Sunday night at the VMA's. Everyone it seems, including President Barack Obama has an opinion on Mr. West's outburst. The President reportedly called West a "jacksass" in an off the record remark. Perhaps President Obama has forgotten that his responsibility is to run the country instead of commenting on a rapper/producer who is obviously dealing with a few demons.
Kanye West continued his sometimes bizarre behavior last night after singer Taylor Swift won Best Female Video at the MTV Video Music Awards show last night. Swift's win in the female video category apparently didn't sit well with West who ran onstage proclaiming "Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time!" "One of the best videos of all time!" Boos began ringing through Radio Music Hall, with Swift unable to finish her acceptance speech. Swift later reclaimed a sense of normalcy when Beyonce asked her to come back on stage after winning her own award for Video of the Year.
Tyler Perry continues his hot streak, as his latest movie "I Can Do Bad All By Myself" made $24 million over the weekend making it the #1 movie. The movie starring Oscar nominated actress Taraji P. Henson proves that Perry is one of the top brands in the movie business, and his movies rarely disappoint.
Serena Williams had a major melt down last night during her semifinal match against Kim Clijsters, when a line judge apparently made a wrong foot fault call. Serena started dropping the f-bomb, yelling to the judge "I swear to God, I'll f --- take this ball and shove it down your f -- - throat. " This tirade resulted in Serena receiving a code violation (her second violation during the match), causing her to lose the point and subsequently the match. Serena's mother, Oracene, did not defend her daughter's behavior, stating that "She should've kept her cool."
La Toya Jackson sits down with Barbara Walters and talks about her late brother Michael in an interview that will be broadcast tonight on "20/20." La Toya describes how MJ was dressed and made up as he was finally laid to rest last week. La Toya along with Jermaine are the Jackson siblings who never met a microphone that they didn't like, so I'm sure the interview will be lively.
Michael Jeffrey Jordan takes his place among the other NBA greats tonight when he will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Jordan's legacy is secure as simply the greatest basketball player of all time, and for me it's not even an argument. He's arguably the greatest athlete of all time, with perhaps Muhammad Ali and Tiger Woods providing argument in that conversation.
The hip-hop community is fast to be criticized for doing the wrong thing, but rapper/actor Ludacris took time out to help 20 people in need by giving away 20 used cars at a Morrow, GA car dealership near Atlanta on Sunday. Recipients of the cars had to write an essay to Ludaris' foundation explaining their need for the car, which comes with 30 days of free gas. While recipients are responsible for taxes, registration and insurance for the cars, Ludacris did remove the burden of having a car payment to the lucky winners. Thanks to the New York Daily News for showing "Luda" some love.
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