Roland S. Martin's Blog, page 138

NY Political Powerhouse Basil Paterson, Father Of Former Gov David Paterson, Dies

Source: Philly.com Basil Paterson, 87, a longtime New York political powerhouse and the father of former Gov. David Paterson, has died, his family said Thursday. Mr. Paterson died Wednesday night at Mount Sinai Hospital, according to a family statement that did not give the cause of death. The Democrat served as a state senator, deputy […]

Nike Hit By Large-Scale Theft Scheme

Source: Gabrielle Kratsas / Detroit Free Press In a federal investigation, authorities have busted a black market sneaker scheme out of Nike’s Oregon headquarters. Nike employees stole and sold sample shoes around the country for as much as $20,000 a pair, according to reports. Nike Basketball’s “promo product manager” Tung Ho, 35, worked with his […]

Anita Baker Sues Company That Filed Suit Against Her For Work Done On Home

Source: Robert Allen / Detroit Free Press Grammy Award-winning singer Anita Baker responded to a decorating company’s lawsuit over $15,351 by filing a lawsuit of her own. Lawyers with Ray A. Smith Painting and Decorating “intended to put her in as embarrassing a light as possible” leading to a bench warrant for her arrest in the initial suit, […]

Aretha Franklin Sues Satirical Website For $10M — But Can She?

Today On the Tom Joyner Morning Show:  Roland Martin talks to Arnold Reed, the Attorney who’s filing the $10M defamation of character lawsuit on behalf of Aretha Franklin against the website ‘News Nerd”. “These reports that have come out have put Ms. Franklin in a bad light. She was 10,000 miles away, Reed said. Listen […]

Doctors Unable To Reattach Severed Penis Of Wu-Tang Clan-Affiliated Rapper: Report

Source:  Joe Kemp / New York Daily News The Wu-Tang Clan-affiliated rapper who cut off his penis before leaping off the second-floor balcony of his North Hollywood apartment has lost the appendage for good, according to a report. Andre Johnson — who raps under the name Christ Bearer — was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after […]

Dangerous Bacteria Survive In Contact Lens Cleaning Solution

Source: Robert Preidt / CBS News Bacteria that can cause serious eye infections are able to survive longer in contact lens cleaning solution than previously known, a new study finds. Researchers looked at different strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause microbial keratitis. This is an inflammation and ulceration of the cornea that can cause vision […]

Rapper Severs Penis, Jumps Off Building And Survives

Source: Maria Puente / USA Today News of a bizarre tragedy is emerging out of Los Angeles today, with TMZ, CNN and other media outlets reporting that a rapper named Andre Johnson of Northstar cut off his penis and jumped off a building, and survived. Johnson, also known as Andre Roxx and Christ Bearer, according to TMZ, was with other members of Northstar in a second-floor […]

Judge Again Rejects Deal In NFL Concussion Cases

Source: AP / theGrio PHILADELPHIA — A federal judge in Philadelphia has again declined to approve deals for some of the retired players suing the NFL over concussions. U.S. District Judge Anita Brody’s preliminary ruling Wednesday affects a batch of lawsuits involving lead plaintiff Kevin Turner, a former Philadelphia Eagle now battling Lou Gehrig’s disease. Brody had […]

Harvard University Admits Highest Number Of Black Students In School’s History

Source: Jessica Dickerson / The Huffington Post There was a time when black students were not allowed to attend Ivy Leagues universities. This year, Harvard University proved just how far they’ve come from that part of their history. According to the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, this year marks Harvard’s highest percentage of accepted black students to […]

Former Klan Leader ‘Wanted Nothing To Do’ With Kansas KKK Gunman

Former members of the KKK join Ricky to weigh in on Kansas gunman Frazier Glenn Cross.