Top 5 Live –WURD Thursday February 12
1. Jackie Robinson West stripped of U.S. Little League title for cheating
After months of staying mum while cheating allegations circled U.S. champs Jackie Robinson West, Little League International has finally taken action and stripped the Chicago-based team of its title. Jackie Robinson West, an all-black team that was celebrated from the White House to the MLB World Series, had been the subject of cheating allegations since season’s end.
Little League International had earlier vowed the case was closed, but it met recently with rival Little League presidents from Chicago’s District 4 and re-examined the complaints. On Wednesday morning, came the new, via a statement from the Little League office.
2. Obama asks for new war powers: ISIS is ‘going to lose’
President Obama asked Congress on Wednesday for new war powers to go after the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the group that has beheaded American journalists and aid workers in the Middle East. The president’s request would replace the 2002 legislation that authorized the Iraq War but leaves in place a broadly worded resolution passed after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
“This is a difficult mission, and it will remain difficult for some time,” Obama said at the White House, flanked by Vice President Joe Biden, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Secretary of State John Kerry. But “ISIL is on the defensive, and ISIL is going to lose.”
3. Trouble mounts for Brian Williams: NBC reportedly looking into his expense accounts
NBC has expanded its probe into embattled news anchor Brian Williams to examine his expense accounts, New York Magazine’s Gabriel Sherman reports. Williams, whom NBC suspended for six months without pay on Tuesday, has come under fire since admitting that he misled the public by claiming to have come under enemy fire aboard an Army Chinook during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The “NBC Nightly News” anchor also faces scrutiny over claims he’s made about his experiences during Hurricane Katrina and the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah War.
4. Bob Simon dies
Bob Simon, the longtime “60 Minutes” correspondent and legendary CBS News foreign reporter died suddenly Wednesday night in a car accident in New York City. The award-winning newsman was 73. “Bob Simon was a giant of broadcast journalism, and a dear friend to everyone in the CBS News family. We are all shocked by this tragic, sudden loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob’s extended family and especially with our colleague Tanya Simon,” said CBS News President David Rhodes.
5. Three college students killed in Chapel Hill shooting; 46-year-old man charged
A 46-year-old Chapel Hill man has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder after three college students were shot and killed at a condominium complex on in Chapel Hill, authorities said. Craig Stephen Hicks turned himself in to the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office following the shooting, which happened in the Finley Forest complex shortly after 5 p.m.Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23, of Chapel Hill, Yusor Mohammad, 21, of Chapel Hill, and Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19, of Raleigh, were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
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Solomon Jones is an Essence bestselling author and award-winning columnist. He is the creator and editor of Solomonjones.com and morning host on 900 am WURD radio. Click here to learn more about Solomon
